"CHINATOWN" (1974)

STATS118pages63scenes6,739words41%dialogue62characters

Words

dialogue2,76741%
action2,43836%
other1,53423%

Scenes

location

INT 29
EXT 33
UNKNOWN 1

time

UNKNOWN 63

Top characters

see all characters →

OPEN

CHINATOWN

Robert Towne

FULLSCREENPHOTOGRAPH

shakes.SOUNDofa manMOANINGinanguish.Thephotographis dropped,REVEALINGANOTHER,MOREcompromisingone.Thenanother,and another.Moremoans.

CURLY'SVOICE

(cryingout)

Oh,no.

INT.GITTES'OFFICE

CURLYdropsthephotosonGittes'desk.CurlytowersoverGITTESand sweatsheavilythroughhisworkman'sclothes,hisbreathing progressivelymorelabored.AdropplunksonGittes'shinydesktop.

Gittesnotesit.A fanwhiffsoverhead.Gittesglancesupatit.He lookscoolandbriskin awhitelinensuit despitetheheat.Never takinghiseyesoffCurly,he lightsacigaretteusingalighter witha "nail"onhisdesk.

Curly,withanotheranguishedsob,turnsandramshisfistintothe wall,kickingthewastebasketashedoes.Hestartsto sobagain, slidesalongthewallwherehisfist haslefta noticeabledentand itsimpacthassentthe signedphotosofseveralmoviestarsaskew.

Curlyslidesonintothe blindsandsinkstohis knees.Heis weepingheavilynow,andisin suchpainthathe actuallybitesinto theblinds.

Gittesdoesn'tmovefromhischair.

GITTES

Allright,enoughisenough.Youcan'teat theVenetianblinds,Curly.Ijusthad'em installedonWednesday.

Curlyrespondsslowly,risingtohisfeet,crying.Gittesreaches intohisdeskand pullsouta shotglass,quicklyselectsacheaper bottleofbourbonfromseveralfifthsofmoreexpensivewhiskeys.

Gittespoursalargeshot.He shovestheglassacrosshisdesk towardCurly.

GITTES

Downthehatch.

Curlystaresdumblyatit.Thenpicksit up,and drainsit.Hesinks backintothechairoppositeGittes,beginstocryquietly.

CURLY

(drinking,relaxinga little)

She'sjustnogood. GITTES WhatcanI tellyou,Kid?You'reright.When you'reright,you'reright,andyou'reright.

CURLY

Ain'tworththinkingabout.

GittesleavesthebottlewithCurly.

GITTES

You'reabsolutelyright,Iwouldn'tgiveher anotherthought.

CURLY

(pouringhimself)

Youknow,you'reokay,Mr.Gittes.Iknow it'syourjob,butyou'reokay.

GITTES

(settlingback,breathing alittleeasier)

Thanks,Curly.CallmeJake.

CURLY

Thanks.Youknowsomething,Jake?

GITTES

What'sthat,Curly?

CURLY

IthinkI'llkill her.

INT.DUFFY& WALSH'SOFFICE

NoticeablylessplushthanGitte's.Awell-groomed,dark-haired WOMANsitsnervouslybetweentheirtwodesks,fiddlingwiththeveil onher pillboxhat.

WOMAN

Iwas hopingMr.Gittescouldseetothis personally.

WALSH

(almostthemannerof someonecomfortingthe bereaved)

Ifyou'llallowusto completeour preliminaryquestioning,bythenhe'llbe free.

Thereisthe SOUNDofANOTHERMOANcomingfromGittes'Office. Somethingmadeofglassshatters.TheWomangrowsmoreedgy.

INT.GITTES'OFFICE–GITTES& CURLY

GittesandCurlystandinfrontof thedesk,Gittesstaring

takesahandkerchiefandwipesawaytheplunkof perspirationonhis desk.

CURLY

(crying)

Theydon'tkilla guyforthat.

GITTES

Ohtheydon't?

CURLY

Notforyourwife.That'sthe unwrittenlaw.

Gittespoundsthephotosonthedesk,shouting;

GITTES

I'lltellyouthe unwrittenlaw,youdumbson ofa bitch,yougottaberich tokill somebody,anybodyandgetawaywithit.You thinkyougotthatkind ofdough,youthink yougotthatkind ofclass?

Curlyshrinksbackalittle.

CURLY

...No...

GITTES

Youbetyourass youdon't.Youcan'teven paymeoff.

ThisseemstoupsetCurlyeven more.

CURLY

I'llpaytherest nexttrip.Weonlycaught

hita chubasco,theydon'tpayyoufor skipjackthewaytheydofor tunaor albacore.

GITTES

(easinghimoutofhis office)

Forgetit.Ionly mentionittoillustratea point...

He'snowwalkinghimpastSOPHIEwho pointedlyavertshergaze.He opensthedoorwhereon thepebbledglasscanbe read:"J.J.GITTES andAssociates.DISCREETINVESTIGATION"

GITTES

Idon'twantyour lastdime.

Hethrowsan armaroundCurlyandflashesadazzlingsmile.

GITTES

(continuing)

Whatkindofguy doyou thinkIam?

CURLY

Thanks,Mr.Gittes.

GITTES

CallmeJake.Carefuldrivinghome,Curly.

Heshutsthe dooronhim andthesmiledisappears.

Heshakeshishead,startingtoswearunderhis breath.

SOPHIE

AMrs.Mulwrayis waitingforyou,withMr. WalshandMr.Duffy.

Gittesnods,walksonin.

INT.DUFFYANDWALSH'SOFFICE

WalshriseswhenGittesenters.

WALSH

Mrs.Mulwray,mayIpresentMr.Gittes?

Gitteswalksovertoher andagainflashesawarm,sympathetic smile.

GITTES

Howdoyou do,Mrs.Mulwray?

MRS. MULWRAY

Mr.Gittes...

GITTES

Now,Mrs.Mulwray,whatseemstobe the problem?

Sheholdsherbreath.Therevelationisn'teasyforher.

MRS. MULWRAY

Myhusband,Ibelieve,isseeinganother woman.

partners.

GITTES

(gravely)

No,really?

MRS. MULWRAY

I'mafraidso.

GITTES

Iam sorry.

Gittespullsupa chairsittingnexttoMrs.MulwraybetweenDuffy andWalsh.Duffycrackshisgum.

Gittesgiveshimanirritatedglance.Duffystopschewing.

MRS. MULWRAY

Can'twetalkaboutthisalone,Mr. Gittes?

GITTES

I'mafraidnot,Mrs.Mulwray.Thesemenare myoperativesandatsomepointthey'regoing toassistme.I can'tdoeverythingmyself.

MRS. MULWRAY

Ofcoursenot.

GITTES

Now,whatmakesyoucertainheis involved withsomeone?

question.

MRS. MULWRAY

Awifecan tell.

Gittessighs.

GITTES

Mrs.Mulwray,doyouloveyourhusband?

MRS. MULWRAY

(shocked)

...Yesof course.

GITTES

(deliberately)

Thengohomeand forgetaboutit.

MRS. MULWRAY

But...

GITTES

(staringintentlyather)

I'msurehe lovesyou,too.Youknowthe expression,letsleepingdogslie?You're betteroffnotknowing.

MRS. MULWRAY

(withsomerealanxiety)

ButI havetoknow.

Herintensityisgenuine.Gitteslookstohistwopartners.

GITTES

Allright,what'syourhusband'sfirstname?

MRS. MULWRAY

Hollis.HollisMulwray.

GITTES

(visiblysurprised)

WaterandPower?

Mrs.Mulwraynods,almostshyly.Gittesisnowcasuallybut carefullycheckingoutthedetailingofMrs.Mulwray'sdress–her handbag,shoes,etc.

MRS. MULWRAY

He'stheChiefEngineer.

DUFFY

(alittleeagerly)

ChiefEngineer?

Gittes'glancetellsDuffyGitteswantstodothequestioning.Mrs. Mulwraynods.

GITTES

(confidentially)

Thistypeofinvestigationcanbehardon yourpocketbook,Mrs.Mulwray.Ittakestime.

MRS. MULWRAY

Moneydoesn'tmattertome,Mr.Gittes.

Gittessighs.

GITTES

Verywell.We'llseewhatwe cando.

EXT.CITYHALL– MORNING

Alreadyshimmeringwithheat.

Adrunkblowshis nosewithhisfingersintothe fountainatthe footofthe steps. Gittes,impeccablydressed,passesthedrunkonthewayupthe stairs.

FormerMayorSAMBAGBYisspeaking.Behindhimisa hugemap,with overleafsandboldlettering:

"PROPOSEDALTOVALLEJODAMANDRESERVOIR"

Someofthe councilmenarereadingfunnypapersandgossipcolumns whileBagbyisspeaking.

BAGBY

Gentlemen,todayyoucanwalkoutthatdoor, turnright,hopona streetcarandintwenty- fiveminutesendupsmackin thePacific Ocean.Nowyoucanswim init,you canfish init,you cansailin itbut youcan'tdrink it,youcan'twateryourlawnswith it,you can'tirrigateanorangegrovewithit. Rememberwelivenextdoorto theoceanbut wealsoliveon theedgeof thedesert.Los

building,beneatheverystreetthere'sa

andcoverusas thoughwe'dneverexisted! (pausing,lettingthe implicationsinkin)

CLOSE–GITTES

sittingnexttosomegrubbyfarmers,bored.Heyawns,edgesaway fromoneof thedirtierfarmers.

BAGBY(O.S.)

(continuing)

TheAltoVallejocansaveus fromthat,andI respectfullysuggestthateightandahalf milliondollarsisafairpriceto payto keepthedesertfromourstreetsandnot on topofthem.

AUDIENCE–COUNCILCHAMBERS

Anamalgamoffarmers,businessmen,andcityemployeeshavebeen listeningwithkeeninterest.Acoupleofthefarmersapplaud. Somebodyshooshesthem.

COUNCILCOMMITTEE

Ina whisperedconference.

COUNCILMAN

(acknowledgingBagby)

MayorBagby...let'shearfromthe

WaterandPowerfirst.Mr.Mulwray.

REACTION–GITTES

Lookingupwithinterestfromhisracingform.

MULWRAY

Walkstothe hugemapwithoverleafs.Heisa slendermanin his sixties,whowearsglassesandmoveswithsurprisingfluidity.He turnstoa smaller,youngerman,andnods.Themanturnsthe overleafonthemap.

MULWRAY

Incaseyou'veforgotten,gentlemen,over fivehundredliveswerelostwhentheVan der LipDamgaveway coresampleshaveshownthat beneaththisbedrockisshalesimilartothe permeableshaleintheVanderLip disaster. Itcouldn'twithstandthatkindofpressure there.

(referringtoa new overleaf)

Nowyouproposeyetanotherdirtbanked terminusdamwithslopesoftwoand onehalf toone,one hundredtwelvefeethighanda

(more)

MULWRAY(Cont'd)

twelvethousandacrewatersurface.Well,it won'thold.Iwon'tbuildit. It'sthat simple.Iamnot makingthatkindofmistake twice.Thankyou,gentlemen.

somewhoopsandhollersfromtherearof thechambersanda red- facedFARMERdrivesinseveralscrawny,bleatingsheep.Naturally, theycausea commotion.

COUNCILPRESIDENT

(shoutingtofarmer)

Whatinthe helldoyou thinkyou'redoing?

(asthesheepbleatdown theaislestowardthe Council)

Getthosegoddamthingsoutofhere!

FARMER

(rightback)

Tellmewhereto takethem!Youdon'thavean answerforthatsoquick,do you?

Bailiffsandsergeants-at-armsrespondtotheimprecationsofthe Councilandattempttocapturethesheepandthe farmers,havingto restrainonewholookslikehe'sgoingto bodilyattackMulwray.

FARMER

(throughabove,to Mulwray)

Youstealthewaterfromthe valley,ruinthe grazing,starvemylivestockwho'spayingyou todo that,.Mr.Mulwray,that'swhatIwant toknow!

L.A.RIVERBED–LONGSHOT

It'svirtuallyempty.Sunblazesoffit'suglyconcretebanks.Where thebanksareearthen,theyareparchedandchokedwithweeds.

Afteramoment,Mulwray'scarpullsINTOVIEWon afloodcontrol

car.Melooksaround.

WITHGITTES

Holdingapairof binoculars,downstreamandjustabovetheflood

whileMulwraymakeshiswaydownto thecenterofthe riverbed.

ThereMulwraystops,tunsslowly,appearstobelookingatthe bottomoftheriverbed,orat nothingatall.

GITTES

Trainsthebinocularsonhim.SunglintsoffMulwray'sglasses.

BELOWGITTES

There'stheSOUNDofsomethinglikechampagnecorkspopping.Thena smallMexicanboyatopa swaybackhorseridesitintotheriverbed, andintoGitte'sview.

MULWRAY

Himselfstops,standsstillwhenhehearsthesound.Powerlinesand thesunare overhead,thetrickleofbrackishwaterathisfeet.

Hemovesswiftlydownstreaminthedirectionofthesound,toward Gittes.

GITTES

Movesalittlefurtherbackas Mulwrayroundsthebendintheriver andcomesfaceto facewiththeMexicanboyon themuddybanks. Mulwraysayssomethingtotheboy.

Theboydoesn'tansweratfirst.Mulwraypointstothe ground.The boygestures.Mulwrayfrowns.Hekneelsdowninthemudand stares atit. Heseemsto beconcentratingonit.

Afteramoment,he rises,thankstheboyandheadsswiftlyback upstream–scramblingupthebankto hiscar.

Therehereachesthroughthewindowandpullsouta rollof

hiscarand beginstoscribblesomenotes,lookingdownstreamfrom timetotime.

ThepowerlinesoverheadHUM.

Hestops,listenstothemthen rollsuptheplansand getsbackin thecar.He drivesoff.

GITTES

Hurriestogetbackto hiscar.He getsin andgetsrightbackout. Thesteamyleatherburnshim.Hetakesa towelfromtheback seat andcarefullyplacesitonthe frontone.Hegetsin andtakesoff.

POINTFERMINPARK–DUSK

Streetlightsgoon.

MULWRAY

Pullsup,parks.Hurriesoutofthe car,acrosstheparklawnand intotheshadeof sometreesandbuildings.

GITTES

Pullsup,movesacrosstheparkat a differentangle,butinthe directionMulwrayhadgone.Hemakesitthroughthetreesin timeto seeMulwrayscrambleadroitlydownthesideofthecliffto the beachbelow.Beseemsin ahurry.Gittesmovesafterhim,havinga littlemoredifficultynegotiatingtheclimbthanMulwraydid.

DOWNONTHE BEACH

Gitteslookstohisrightwherethe bayis along,clearcrescent. Helooksto hisleft.There'sapromontoryofsorts.It'sapparent Mulwrayhasgonethatway.Gitteshesitates,thenmovesinthat directionbutclimbsalongthepromontoryinordertobeabove Mulwray.

ATTHE OUTFALL

GittesspotsMulwrayjustbelowhim,kickingatthesand.

Mulwraypicksupa starfish.Brushesthesandoffit.Looksabsently uptowardGittes.

GITTES

Backsaway,sitsneartheoutfall,yawns.

BEACONLIGHTATPOINTFERMIN

Flashinginthedust.

CLOSE–GITTES

Sitting,suddenlystarts.Heswearssoftly.He'sinapuddleof waterandtheseat ofhistrousersiswet.

MULWRAY

Belowhimin watchingthewatertricklingdownfromtheoutfallnear Gittes.

Mulwraystandsandstaresatthewater,apparentlyfascinated.Even asGitteswatchesMulwraywatching,thevolumeandvelocityseemto increaseuntilitgushesinspurts,cascadingintothesea,whipping itintoa foam.

ATTHE STREET–GITTES'CAR

There'saslipof paperstuckunderthewindshieldwiper.Gittes pullsitoff,gets inthecar andturnson thedashlight.Itsays: "SAVEOURCITY!LOSANGELESIS DYINGOFTHIRST!PROTECTYOUR PROPERTY!LOSANGELESISYOURINVESTMENTINTHEFUTURE!!!VOTEYES NOVEMBER6...CITIZENSCOMMITTEETOSAVEOURCITY,HON.SAMBAGBY,

FORMERMAYOR–CHAIRMAN."Gittesgrumbles,crumplesitupandtosses itout thewindow.Henoticesotherflyersparkedona coupleof carsdownthestreet.

Gittesreachesdownandopenshisglovecompartment.

ConsistsofasmallmountainofIngersollpocketwatches.

Thecheappricetagsare stillonthem.Gittespullsoutone.

Heabsentlywindsit,checksthetimewith hisownwatch.It's9:37 ashe walkstoMulwray'scarandplacesit behindthefrontwheelof Mulwray'scar.Heyawnsagainandheadsbackto hisowncar.

GITTES

Arriveswhistling,opensthedoorwith"J.J.GITTESANDASSOCIATES– DISCREETINVESTIGATION"onit.

GITTES

Morning,Sophie.

Sophiehandshima smallpileofmessages.Hegoesthroughthem.

GITTES

Walshhere?

SOPHIE

He'sinthe darkroom.

GitteswalksthroughhisofficetoDuffyandWalsh's.Alittlered lightison inthe corner,overacloseddoor.Gitteswalksoverand knocksonthedoor.

GITTES

Where'dhegoyesterday?

WALSH'SVOICE

Threereservoirs.Men'sroomofaRichfield gasstationonFlower,andthePig 'n Whistle.

GITTES

JesusChrist,thisguy'sreallygotwateron thebrain.

WALSH'SVOICE

What'dyouexpect?That'shisjob.

GITTES

Listen,wecan'tstringthisbroadout indefinitelywegottocomeupwith something.

WALSH'SVOICE

IthinkI gotsomething.

GITTES

Ohyeah?Youpick upthewatch?

INT.DUFFY& WALSH'SOFFICE–GITTES

WALSH'SVOICE

It'sonyourdesk.Say, youheartheone abouttheguywho goestothe NorthPolewith AdmiralByrdlookingforpenguins?

Gitteswalkstohisoffice.

ONHIS DESK

Isthe Ingersollwatch,thecrystalbroken,thehandsstoppedat 2:47.

GITTES

Hewasthereall night.

Gittesdropsit,sitsdown.Walshcomesin carryingaseriesofwet photosstuckwithclothespinsontoasmallblackboard.

GITTES

(continuing;eagerly)

Sowhatyou got?

Walshshowshimthephotos.He looksatthem.Theyare aseries outsidearestaurantshowingMulwraywithanothermanwhose appearanceisstriking.Intwoofthephotosa gnarledcaneis visible.

GITTES

(continuing;obviously annoyed)

This?

WALSH

Theygotintoa terrificargumentoutsidethe Pig'nWhistle.

GITTES

Whatabout?

WALSH

Idon'tknow.The trafficwasprettyloud.I onlyheardonething– applecore.

GITTES

Applecore?

WALSH

(shrugs)

Yeah.

INT.GITTES'OFFICE

Gittestossesdownthephotosindisgust.

GITTES

JesusChrist,Walsh.That'swhatyouspent yourdaydoing?

WALSH

Look,youtellme totakepictures,Itake pictures.

GITTES

Letmeexplainsomethingtoyou,Walsh.This businessrequiresacertainfinesse.

ThePHONEhasbeen RINGING.Sophiebuzzeshim.

GITTES

Yeah,Sophie?

(he picksupthe phone)

Duffy,whereareyou?

Duffy'sVOICEcanbeHEARD,excitedly."Igotit.I gotit. He's foundhimselfsomecutelittletwistina rowboat,inEchoPark."

GITTES

(continuing)

Okay,slowdown– EchoPark.

(to Walsh)

Jesus,wateragain.

WESTLAKEPARK(McARTHURPARK)

Duffyisrowing,Gittesseatedinthestern.

TheypassMulwrayanda slenderblondegirlina summerprintdress, driftingintheirrowboat,Mulwrayfondlydotingonthegirl.

GITTES

(to Duffy,astheypass)

Let'shaveabig smile,pal.

HeshootspastDuffy,expertlyrunningoffacoupleof fastshots. Mulwrayandthegirlseemblissfullyunawareofthem.

DUFFY

Turnsagainandtheyrow pastMulwrayandthegirl,Gittesagain clickingoffseveralfastshots.

CLOSESHOT– SIGN:

"ELMACANDOAPARTMENTS"

MOVEALONGthered tiledroofanddownto alowerlevelof theroof whereGittes'feetarehookedovertheapexof theroofand Gittes

himselfisstretchedfacedownwardonthetiles,pointinghimself andhiscamerato averandabelowhimwherethe girlandMulwrayare eating.Gittesisclickingoffmoreshotswhenthetileshis feet arehookedovercomeloose.

Gittesbeginsaslowslidedownthe tiletothe edgeofthe roofand possiblyoverittoa three-storydrop.Hetriestoslowhimself down.Theloosetilealsobeginsto slide.

Gittesstopshimselfattheroof'sedgeby thestormdrainand beginsaveryprecariousturn,thistimehookinghisfeetin the drainitself.Theloosetilefallsandhitsthe verandabelow.He stopsasit'saboutto slideovertheedge.He carefullylaysitin thedrain.Buta fragmentoffthecrackededgeofthe tilefalls.

WITHMULWRAYANDTHEGIRL

Mulwraystaringatthefragmentathisfeet.He lookstothe girl. He'sclearlyconcerned.Herises,looksuptotheroof.

FROMHISPOV

Theroofand thesigntoppingitbetraynothing.Heslowlysitsback down,staringatthetilefragment.

CLOSESHOT– NEWSPAPER

"DEPARTMENTOFWATERANDPOWERBLOWSFUSEOVERCHIEF'SUSEOFFUNDS FOREL MACANDOLOVENEST."

Inthe styleoftheHearstyellowpress,thereisa heart-shaped drawingaroundoneofthephotosthatGitteshad taken.Nexttoit isa smallercolumn,"J.J.Gitteshiredbysuspiciousspouse."

INT.BARBERSHOP–GITTES

Holdsthepaperandreadswhilegettinghishaircutandhis shoes shined.Infact,almostallthecustomersarereadingpapers.

BARNEY

(to Gittes)

Whenyougetso muchpublicity,afterawhile youmustgetblaséaboutit.

Aself-satisfiedsmilecomestoGittes'face.

BARNEY

(continuing)

Faceit.You'repracticallyamoviestar.

Inb.g.,customerscanbeOVERHEARDtalkingaboutthedrought. Interspersedwithabove,someoneissaying,"They'regonnastart rationingwaterunlessitrains."Someoneelsesays,"Onlyfor washingyourcars."Thirdsays,"You'renotgoingtobeable to wateryourlawneither,ortakea bathmorethan onceaweek."First says,"Ifyoudon'thave alawnor a car,doyou getanextrabath?"

Gitteshasbeenstaringoutsidethebarbershop.Acarisstalled. Thehoodis up.A manwatcheshisradiatorboilingover.

GITTES

(laughing)

Lookatthat.

BARNEY

Heat'smurder.

OTHERCUSTOMER

(end ofconversation)

Foolsnamesandfoolsfaces...

Gitteshasheardtheword.He straightensup.

GITTES

(smiling;toOther Customer)

What'sthat,pal?

OTHERCUSTOMER

(indicatingpaper)

Nothing.Yougotahell ofa wayto makea living.

GITTES

Oh?Whatdo.you doto makeendsmeet?

OTHERCUSTOMER

MortgageDepartment,FirstNationalBank.

Gitteslaughs.

GITTES

Tellme,howmany peopleaweekdo you forecloseon?

OTHERCUSTOMER

Wedon'tpublisharecordin thepaper,I can tellyouthat.

GITTES

NeitherdoI.

OTHERCUSTOMER

No,youhavea pressagentdo it.

Gittesgetsoutof thechair.Barney,alittleconcerned,triesto restrainhim,holdingontothebarbersheetaroundGittes'neck.

GITTES

Barney,whoisthisbimbo?He aregular customer?

BARNEY

Takeiteasy,Jake.

GITTES

Look,pal.Imake anhonestliving.People don'tcometome unlessthey'remiserableand Ihelp'em outof abad situation.Idon't kickthemoutof theirhomeslikeyoujerks whoworkin thebank.

BARNEY

Jake,forChrist'ssake.

Gittesistryingtotake offhissheet.

GITTES

C'mon,getoutof thebarberchair.We'llgo outsideandtalkthisover.

TheCustomerisshrinkingbackintothechair.

BARNEY

Hey,c'mon,Jake.Sitdown.Sitdown.You hearaboutthefellagoesto hisfriendand says,'What'llIdo,I'mtiredof screwingmy wife?'andhisfriendsays,'Whyn'tyoudo whattheChinesedo?'

Gittesallowshimselftobetuggedbackto hischair.

GITTES

Idon'tknowhow thatgotin thepaperas a matteroffact– itsurprisedmeit wasso quick.Imakean honestliving.

BARNEY

'Courseyoudo,Jake.

GITTES

Anhonestliving.

BARNEY

(continuing)

Soanyway,hesays,'whyn'tyoudo whatthe Chinesedo?'

INT.GITTES'OFFICE

Gittescomesburstingin,slappinganewspapersonhisthigh.

GITTES

Duffy,Walsh.

Walshcomesoutof hisoffice,Duffyoutofthe otherone.

GITTES

(continuing)

Sophie,gotothe littlegirl'sroomfora minute.

SOPHIE

But,Mr.Gittes.

GITTES

(insisting)

Sophie.

SOPHIE

Yes,Mr.Gittes.

Shegetsup andleaves.

GITTES

Sothere'sthisfellawho'stiredofscrewing hiswife.

DUFFY

Jake,listen.

GITTES

Shutup,Duffy,you'realwaysina hurryand hisfriendsayswhynot dowhatthe Chinese do?Sohe sayswhatdo theydo?His friend saystheChinesetheyscrewfora while.Just listenasecond,Duffy...

AstunningYOUNGWOMANappearsbehindGittesinhisdoorway.She's shortlyjoinedbyasmall,GRAY-HAIREDMAN.Theylisten,unseenby Gittes.

GITTES

(continuing)

...andthenthey stopandtheyreada little Confuciusandtheyscrewsomemoreandthey stopandtheysmokesomeopiumand thenthey gobackand screwsomemoreandtheystop againandtheycontemplatethemoonor

thisotherguygoeshometo screwhiswife andaftera whilehestopsandgets upand goesintotheotherroomonly hereadsLife Magazineandhegoesbackand hescrewssome moreandsuddenlysaysexcusemea secondand hegetsup andsmokesa cigaretteandhegoes backandby thistimehiswifeis getting soreashell.So hescrewssomemoreand then hegetsup tolookat themoonand hiswife says,'Whatthehelldo youthinkyou're doing? (Gittesbreaksup) ...you'rescrewinglikeaChinaman.'

GitteshangsontoSophie'sdesklaughinghisassoff.Thelittle

Woman,apparentlyinherlatetwenties.She'ssostunningthat Gittesnearlygasps.

YOUNGWOMAN

Mr.Gittes?

GITTES

Yes?

YOUNGWOMAN

Doyouknow me?

GITTES

Well...IthinkI...I would'veremembered.

YOUNGWOMAN

Haveweevermet?

GITTES

Well,no.

YOUNGWOMAN

Never?

GITTES

Never.

YOUNGWOMAN

That'swhatIthought.Yousee,I'm Mrs. EvelynMulwray.Youknow,Mr.Mulwray'swife.

Gittesisstaggered.Heglancesdownatthenewspaper.

GITTES

NotthatMulwray?

EVELYN

Yes,thatMulwray,Mr.Gittes.Andsinceyou agreewithmewe'venevermet,you mustalso agreethatIhaven'thiredyouto do anything.Certainlynotspyonmyhusband.I seeyoulikepublicity,Mr.Gittes.Well, you'regoingtogetit.

GITTES

Nowwaita minute,Mrs.Mulwray...

She'swalkedpasthimtowardthedoor.He stopher.

GITTES

(continuing)

...there'ssomemisunderstandinghere.It's notgoingtodo anygoodto gettoughwith me.

Evelynflashesacoldsmile.

EVELYN

Idon'tget toughwithanybody,Mr.Gittes. Mylawyerdoes.

Evelynstartsoutthedoorand Gittesstartsafterher.Thistime he'sstoppedbytheGray-HairedManwhohasalso comeoutof his officeandupbehindhim.

GRAY-HAIREDMAN

Here'ssomethingforyou,Mr.Gittes.

Gittesturnstobe handedathicksheafof papers,asummonsand complaint.Evelynwalksoutthedoor.

GRAY-HAIREDMAN

(continuing;pleasantly)

Isupposewe'llbehearingfromyour attorney.

Gittesstaresdownatthepapersin hishand.

INT.GITTES'INNEROFFICE–GITTES,DUFFY&WALSH

OnGittes'desk.Thereareemptycoffeecups,thesummonsand complaint,andthenewspaperGitteshadbroughtwithhimfromthe barbershop.

Thethreemenare sitting,wornandsilent.Walshchewinggumisthe loudestnoiseintheroom.

GitteslookstoWalshwithobviousirritation.Walshstopschewing.

Duffyputsouta cigaretteinthedregsof oneofthe coffeecups.

GITTES

(to Duffy)

There'ssevenashtraysinthisroom,Duffy.

DUFFY

Okay.

GITTES

That'safilthyhabit.

DUFFY

Isaidokay,.Jake.

GITTES

Yeah,yeah.Ifshe'dcomein heresayingshe wasShirleyTempleyou'dsayokaytothat, too.

WALSH

Look,Jake.Shegaveus Mulwray'srealphone numberandaddress.

GITTES

Allsheneededforthat wasthephonebook!

WALSH

No,no.She saidnotto call,herhusband mightanswer.

GITTES

WhenIfind outwhothatphonybitchwas.

Gittesisstaringdownatthe newspaper.Hesuddenlygrabsthe phone,beginsdialing.Atightlittlesmilebreaksoutonhisface. HebuzzesSophie.

GITTES

Sophie.

SOPHIE

Yes,Mr.Gittes.

GITTES

Getmethe Times.WhiteyMehrholtz.

(ashewaits)

Andhowaboutthatsnottybroad?

(thephonetohis ear)

Whatdoesshethink,she'sperfect?Comingin wavingherlawyersandhermoneyat me– so goddamsmug.She'snobetterthananybody elseinthistown.

SophieBUZZES.

GITTES

(continuing)

Whitey,what'snew,pal?...Yeah,listen, wheredidyouget thosephotographs...Yeah, blowingafuseoverthe ElMacandolovenest. That'scute,Whitey...sowhosentthemto you...Isentthem?

(Gitteslaughsalittle hysterically)

WhywouldI beaskinghowyou gotthemif I sentthem?...Whitey?...Whitey?...C'mon, levelwithmefor once,mytit'sin the wringerandit'sbeginningtohurt...yeah... yeah...yeah.

Hehangsup.

WALSH

Sohe saysyousentthem?

GITTES

(afteramoment)

They'reallabunchof phonies.

INT.DEPARTMENTWATER&POWER–HALL

Gittesstopsoutsideadoormarked:

"HOLLISJ.MULWRAY CHIEFENGINEER"

Heentersan outeroffice.TheSECRETARYlookssurprised.

GITTES

Mr.Mulwray,please.

SECRETARY

He'snotin,Mr.?

GITTES

Gittes.

SECRETARY

MayI askwhatthisis regarding?

GITTES

It'spersonal.Hashebeenoutlong?

SECRETARY

Sincelunch.

GITTES

Geewhiz.

(heglancesathiswatch)

AndI'mlate. SECRETARY Hewasexpectingyou?

GITTES

Fifteenminutesago.Whydon'tIgo inand wait?

Withoutwaitingforaresponse,hedoes.TheSecretaryhalfrisesin protestbutGittesisthroughtheinnerdoor.

MULWRAY'SINNEROFFICE

Thewallsarecoveredwithcommendation,photosofMulwrayat variousconstructionsites,largemapsofwatershedareasand reservoirsinthecity.Onthe deskisa framed,tintedphotoof Evelyninridingclothes.

Gittesmovestothedesk,watchingthetranslucentpaneintheupper halfofthe doorleadingtotheouterofficeas hedoes.

Hebeginsto openandclose.thedeskdrawersafterquickly examiningthetop.Hetriesoneof thedrawersandit doesn'topen. Hereopensthetop drawer,andthebottomoneopens.

Helooksin it,pullsouta checkbook.Heopensit,rifflesthrough thestubslikehe wasshufflingcards.Dropsit,findsaset of keys,anold phonebook,anda menufroma WaterDepartmentlunchat theBiltmoreHotelin1913.Then,Gitteshaulsoutthe blueprints thatMulwrayhadlaidacrossthehoodof hiscar.They readinbold type:"WATERSHEDANDDRAINAGESYSTEMFORTHELOSANGELESBASIN."

Heflipsthroughthem,readsonenotationinMulwray'sneathand: "Tues.night.OakPassRes.7 channelsused."

Gittesspotsashadowloominginfrontof thetranslucentpane.He quicklytossesitemafteritemback,kneeingthedrawer,nearly knockingasparepairof Mulwray'sglassesoffthedesktopwhenhe does.Hecatchesthem,putsthemon thedeskand ispacingtheroom asthe dooropens.

RUSSYELBURTON

Enterstheroom.AnanxiousSecretaryisrightbehindhim.

YELBURTON

CanI helpyou?

(extendinghishand)

RussYelburton,DeputyChiefinthe Department.

GITTES

(equallypleasant)

J.J.Gittes.Andit'snota departmental matter. YELBURTON Iwonderif you'dcaretowaitin myoffice?

Thisismore arequestthanan invitation.Gittesnods,follows Yelburtonout,throughtheouterofficetohisofficesdownthe hall.

YELBURTON

(continuing;asthey're going)

Yousee,thiswholebusinessinthe paper withMr.Mulwrayhasus allonedge.

SmallerthanMulwray's,hehasmostnoticeablyalacqueredmarlin mountedonthewall.Thereare acoupleof otherpicturesof Yelburtonwithyellowtailandotherfishhe'sstandingbeside.

There'salsoasmallburgeeof afishwith theinitialsA.C.below it,tackedontothewall.

YELBURTON

Afterall,youworkwitha manfor acertain lengthoftime,youcometo knowhim,his habits,hisvalues,andsoforth.Welleither he'sthekindwho chasesafterwomenorhe isn't.

GITTES

AndMulwrayisn't?

YELBURTON

Heneverevenkidsaboutit.

GITTES

Maybehetakesit veryseriously.

Gitteswinks.Yelburtonchucklesappreciatively,looseningupa little.

GITTES

Youdon'thappentoknowwhereMr. Mulwray's havinglunch?

YELBURTON

I'msorry,I--

GITTES

Well,tellhimI'llbe back.

Gittesspotsacardtray onYelburton'sdesk.

GITTES

(continuing)

MindifI takeoneof yourcards?Incase I wanttoget intouchwithyou again.

YELBURTON

Helpyourself.

Gittesfishesacoupleoffthe tray,putstheminhis handkerchief pocket.Hegoesoutthe door,nearlyrunningintoamanwho is standingbytheSecretary'sdesk,aboutGITTES'ageonlyahead talleranda footwider,dressedinaplainsuit thatfitshimabout aswellas a brownpaperbag.

GITTES

Mulvihlll,whatareyoudoinghere?

OUTEROFFICE–YELBURTON,MULVIHILLANDGITTES

MulvihillstaresatGitteswithunblinkingeyes,remainsbythe desk.

MULVIHILL

Theyshutmywateroff, what'sittoyou?

GITTES

How'dyoufindout?You don'tdrinkit,you don'ttakeabath init,maybethey sentyou aletter.Ah,but thenyou'dhavetobe able toread.

MulvihillmovestowardGittes,shakingwithfury.Yelburtonsteps betweenthem.

GITTES

(continuing)

Relax,Mulvihill,gladtoseeyou.

(toYelburton)

Doyouknow ClaudeMulvihillhere?

YELBURTON

Hopeso.He'sworkingforus.

EXT.MULWRAYHOUSE–GITTES

Ringsthebell.He waits.

ApowerfulCHINESEBUTLERwithheavyhairanda half-jacketofgold onone fronttooth,answersthedoor.

GITTES

J.J.GittestoseeMr. Mulwray.

Hehandsthe ChineseButleracardfromhiswallet.TheButlertakes itand disappears,leavingGittesstandinginthedoorway.

Gittesstands,andsweats,watchingaJapaneseGARDENERtrima hedge.There'saSQUEAKINGSOUND.Gittesmovesafewfeetoffthe porch.

POV– GARAGE

Achauffeuriswashingdowna cream-coloredPackardwithachamois. Steamrisesoffthehood.The squeakinghasobviouslycomefromthe chamois.

CHINESEBUTLER

Indoorway.

CHINESEBUTLER

Please.

follow.

THROUGHTHEHOUSE–GITTES

Followshim,tryingtocheckoutthe roomsashe goes.Amaidis cleaningintheden.Theypass throughitoutsomeFrenchdoors alongatrellisedwalkwaytoa largepondwithrunningwater.

CHINESEBUTLER

Youwait,please.

Gittesisleftstandingbythe pond.It'ssuddenlyveryquietexcept fortherunnningwater.Thepondis over-flowing.Afteramoment, theGardenercomesrunningback.HesmilesatGittes,probesinto thepond.

There'ssomethinggleaminginthebottomofit.Gittesnotesit. Afteramoment,theGardenerdropsthelongprobe,the waters recede.

EXT.POND– GITTESANDJAPANESEGARDENER–DAY

GARDENER

(to Gittes)

Badforglass.

GITTES

(not understanding)

Yeahsure.Badforglass.

TheGardenernods,andisoff, leavingGittesstaringattheobject inthe bottomofthepondthat isgleaming.

Helooksat thetoolthe Gardenerwasusing,hesitates,picks.itup andstartstoprobeinto thepondhimself,towardthegleaming object.

HethenspotsEvelynroundingaturn,comingdownthe trellised pathway.Hecasuallybeltstheprobe,holdsontoitforpoise.

Evelyniswearingjeansthatarelatheredwhiteonthe insideofthe thighsandlacedwithbrownhorsehair.

She'swearingridingboots,isperspiringalittle,butlooks youngerthanshedidin theoffice.

EVELYN

Yes,Mr.Gittes?

Gittesisa littletakenabackatseeingEvelyn.Heis annoyedas well.Nevertheless,heiselaboratelypolite.

GITTES

Actually,I'mheretoseeyourhusband,Mrs. Mulwray.

Helaughs.a littlenervously.Hewaitsforareply.Thereisnone. TheChineseButlerappearsontheveranda.

EVELYN

Wouldyoulikesomethingtodrink?

GITTES

Whatareyouhaving?

EVELYN

Icedtea.

GITTES

Yeah.Fine,thankyou.

ChineseButlernods,disappears

EXT.PONDANDGARDEN– MULWRAYHOUSE–DAY

Evelynsitsata glass-toppedtable.GittesJoinsher.

EVELYN

Myhusband'sattheoffice.

GITTES

Actuallyhe'snot.Andhe'smovedfromhis apartmentattheElMacando.

EVELYN

(sharply)

That'snothisapartment.

GITTES

Anyway...I...thepointis,Mrs.Mulwray. I'mnotin businesstobeloved,butI am in business,andbelieveme,whoeversetupyour husband,setmeup.L.A.'sa smalltown, peopletalk.

Hewaitsfor aresponse.Then:

GITTES

(continuing;uneasily)

I'mjusttryingtomake aliving,andI don't wanttobecomea localJoke.

EVELYN

Mr.Gittes,you'vetalkedmeintoit.I'll dropthelawsuit.

GITTES

What?

EVELYN

IsaidI'll dropit.

Theicedtea comesona traywhichRamonsetsdownbetweenthem.

EVELYN

(continuing;pleasantly)

Solet'sjustdropthe wholething.Sugar? Lemon?

GITTES

Mrs.Mulwray?

EVELYN

(asshe'smixingoneof thedrinks)

Yes,Mr.Gittes?

GITTES

Idon'twantto dropit.

Evelynlooksup.Gittessmilesalittlesheepishly.

GITTES

Ishouldtalkthisover withyourhusband.

EVELYN

(alittleconcerned)

Why?...Whatonearthfor?Look,Hollisseems tothinkyou'reaninnocentman.

GITTES

Well,I'vebeenaccusedofmanythings,Mrs. Mulwray,butneverthat.

Againhelaughsa littlenervously.Againnoreaction.

GITTES

(continuing)

Yousee,somebodywenttoa lotof trouble here,andI wanttofindout, lawsuitorno lawsuit.I'mnottheonewho'ssupposedtobe caughtwithmypantsdown...soI'd liketo seeyourhusband.Unlessthat'saproblem.

EVELYN

(withaslightedge)

Whatdoyou mean?

GITTES

MayI speakfrankly,Mrs.Mulwray?

EVELYN

Youmayif youcan,Mr. Gittes.

GITTES

(determinedtobepolite)

Well,thatlittlegirlfriend,shewas attractiveinacheapsortof wayofcourse. She'sdisappeared.Maybetheydisappeared togethersomewhere.

EVELYN

(withrisinganger)

Supposetheydid.Howdoesit concernyou?

GITTES

Nothingpersonal,Mrs.Mulwray,Ijust--

EVELYN

It'sverypersonal.Itcouldn'tbemore personal.Isthisabusinessoran obsession withyou?

GITTES

Lookatit thisway.Nowthis phonybroad, excusethelanguage,saysshe'syou,she's hiredme.Whoeverputherup toit, didn't

getyourhusband.NowifI seehim, Ican helphimdidyou talkthismorning?

EvelynbrusheslightlyatthehorsehaironherJeans.

EVELYN

No.I wentridingratherearly.

GITTES

Lookslikeyouwentquitea distance.

EVELYN

No,Justridingbareback,that'sall.Anyway, youmighttrythe OakPassor StoneCanyon

walksaroundthem.Otherwisehe'llbehomeby 6:30.

GITTES

I'llstopby.

EVELYN

Pleasecallfirst.

Gittesnods.

EXT.OAKPASSRESERVOIR–DAY

Gittesdrivesupa windingroad,followingafloodchannelupinto theparchedhills.

TWOFIRETRUCKS

Onea rescuetruck,areatthe entrancetothereservoir.

Thechainlinkfencewithits KEEPOUTsignis openandthereare peoplemillingaround.Thereservoirisbelow.

Gittes'carisstoppedbya coupleofUNIFORMEDPOLICE.

GUARD

Sorry,thisisclosedtothe public,sir.

Gitteshesitatesonlyamoment,then:

GITTES

(totheGuard)

It'sallright.RussYelburton,DeputyChief intheDepartment.

Hefishesoutone ofYelburton'scardsfromhishandkerchiefpocket, handsitto theGuard.

GUARD

Sorry,Mr.Yelburton.Goondown.

GittesdrivespasttheGuards,throughthegate,alongthe reservoir.Hespotsapolicecarand anunmarkedoneaswell.

Gittesstopsandgetsoutof thecar.Severalmenwith theirbacks turned,onetalkingquietly,staringdownintothereservoirwhere othermenin smallskiffsareapparentlydredgingforsomething. Oneof thementurnsand seesGittes.HerecognizesGittesandis visiblyshocked.

LOACH

Gittes,forChrissakes.

GITTES

Loach.

LOACH

(movingtoGittes,taking himbythe arm)

C'mon,getoutof herebefore--

EXT.RESERVOIR–DAY

Loachtriestoeasehim downthepath.

GITTES

Beforewhat?Whatthehell'sgoingon?

Atthe soundofhisraisedvoice,a manstandingattheedge ofthe channel,talkingtotwoboysinswimmingtrunks,turnsaround.He's atall,sleekMexicanin hisearlythirties,LUISESCOBAR.

BothGittesandEscobarregisterconsiderablesurpriseatseeingone another.Themenaroundthemareextremelyuneasy.

Loachisactuallysweating.Finally,Escobarsmiles.

ESCOBAR

Hello,Jake.

GITTES

(withoutsmiling)

Howareyou,Lou?

ESCOBAR

Ihavea coldI can'tseemto shakebutother thanthat,I'mfine.

GITTES

Summercoldsaretheworst.

ESCOBAR

Yeah,theyare.

Gittesreachesintohispocket,pullsouthiscigarettecase.

A FIREMAN

Nosmoking,sir.It'sa firehazardthistime ofyear.

ESCOBAR

Ithinkwe canmakean exception.I'llsee he'scarefulwiththematches.

GITTES

(lightingup)

Thanks,Lou.

ESCOBAR

How'dyougetpastthe guards?

GITTES

Well,totellyou thetruth,Ilied alittle.

Escobarnods.Theywalkacoupleof steps.Theotherpolice,two plainclothesmenandauniformedofficer,watchthem.

ESCOBAR

You'vedonewellbyyourself.

GITTES

Iget by.

ESCOBAR

Well,sometimesittakesawhilefora manto findhimselfandIguessyou have.

LOACH

Pokingaroundinotherpeople'sdirtylinen.

GITTES

jailforspittingonthelaundry?

ESCOBAR

You'rebehindthetimes,Jake.They'vegot steamironsnow.

(smiles)

AndI'mout ofChinatown.

GITTES

Sincewhen?

ESCOBAR

SinceImadeLieutenant.

It'sapparentGittesisimpresseddespitehimself.

GITTES

Congratulations.

ESCOBAR

Uh-huh.Sowhatareyou doinghere?

GITTES

Lookingforsomeone. ESCOBAR Who?

GITTES

HollisMulwray.Youseenhim?

ESCOBAR

Ohyes.

GITTES

I'dliketo talktohim.

ESCOBAR

You'rewelcometotry.Thereheis.

Escobarpointsdowntothereservoir.Acoupleofmen usingpoles withhooksarefishingaboutinthe water.Itcanbe SEENthatone ofthemhas hookedsomething.

Heshouts.Theotherman hooksit,too.Theypull,revealingthe soakingbackofa man'scoat.Theystarttopull thebodyintothe skiff.

INT.CORONER'SOFFICE–EVELYNANDESCOBAR

Arestandingoverthebodyof Mulwray.Escobarhasthesheetdrawn back.Evelynnods.

Escobardropsthesheet.EscobarandEvelynmoveafew feettoone sideandwhisper,almostasthoughtheyweretryingto keepthe corpsefromhearingthem.

ESCOBAR

Itlookslikehe waswashedtheentirelength oftherunoffchannel.Couldheswim?

EVELYN

Ofcourse.

ESCOBAR

Obviouslythefallmusthaveknockedhimout.

EvelynnodsslightlyEscobarcoughs.Acoroner'sassistantwheels thebodyout oftheoffice.

ESCOBAR

(continuing)

publicitydidn'tmakehimmoroseorunhappy?

OUTSIDETHECORONER'S

Gitteshasbeensittingona woodenbench,smokingandlistening.At thisquestion,herisesandlooksthroughthedoorway. Escobarseeshim,ignoreshim.Evelyndoesn'tseehim.

EVELYN

...Well,itdidn'tmakehim happy...

ESCOBAR

Butthereisno possibilityhewouldhave takenhisownlife?

EVELYN

(sharply)

No.

ESCOBAR

(a littleuncomfortably now)

Mrs.Mulwray,doyouhappentoknow thename oftheyoungwomanin question?

Evelynshowsaflashof annoyance.

EVELYN

No.

ESCOBAR

Doyouknow whereshemightbe?

EVELYN

Certainlynot!

EscobarandEvelynmoveslowlytowardthedoor.

ESCOBAR

Youandyourhusbandneverdiscussedher?

EVELYN.

(stopping,faltering)

He...wedid...hewouldn'ttellme hername. Wequarreledoverher...ofcourse.Itcame asa completesurprisetome.

ESCOBAR

Acompletesurprise?

EVELYN

Yes.

ESCOBAR

ButI thoughtyou'dhiredaprivate investigator.

EVELYN

Aprivateinvestigator?

ESCOBAR

(gesturingvaguelytoward thedoor)

Mr.Gittes.

EVELYN

Wellyes.

Evelynlooksupto seeGittesstandinginthedoorwayonlya footor twofromher.She stopscold.Theylookat oneanotherfora long moment.

EVELYN

(hereyesonGittes)

ButI...I...did thatbecauseIthoughtit wasa nastyrumorI'dputan endto...

Shefinishes,looksplaintivelyatGittes.Escobarisrightather back.Gittessaysnothing.

ESCOBAR

AndwhendidMr. Gittesinformyouthatthese rumorshadsomefoundationinfact?

EvelynlooksatEscobarbutdoesn'tknowhowto answerhim.

GITTES

(smoothly)

Justbeforethestorybrokeinthe papers, Lou.

Escobarnods.Theybegintowalkslowly,againhaveto moveoutof thewayas someothercorpseisbeingwheeledoutof oneof the Coronercubicles.

ESCOBAR

Youwouldn'thappentoknowthepresent whereaboutsoftheyoungwoman.

GITTES

No.

ESCOBAR

Orhername?

GITTES

No.

Theyhavewalkeda fewstepsfurtherdownthehall.

EVELYN

Willyouneedme foranythingelse, Lieutenant?

ESCOBAR

Idon'tthinkso, Mrs.Mulwray.Ofcourseyou havemydeepestsympathyandifwe need anymoreinformation,we'llbeintouch.

GITTES

I'llwalkherto hercar,be rightback.

ESCOBAR'SPOV

EvelynglancesatGittes.Theygothroughacoupleof outerdoors andpassseveralreporterswhohavebeeninthe outerhall, laughing,kidding,thetagendoflineslike"onlyin L.A."and "SouthernCafeteria."

Gitteshurriesherpastthereporterswhoflankthem,asking questions.Gittesbrushesthemaside.

EVELYNANDGITTES–AT HERCAR

Ina smallparkinglot.

Evelynfumblesinherbag,lookingfeverishlyforsomethinginher purse.

GITTES

Mrs.Mulwray?...Mrs.Mulwray.

EVELYN

(flushed,perspiring)

...Justa minute...

GITTES

(touchinghergently)

Youleftyourkeysin theignition.

EVELYN

Oh...thankyou.

Sheglancesdown,leansagainstthesideofthe car.

EVELYN

(continuing)

Thankyouforgoingalongwithme. Ijust didn'twanttoexplainanything...I'llsend youa check.

GITTES

(puzzled)

Acheck?

Evelyngetsinher car.

EVELYN

Tomakeit official,Ihiredyou.

Shedrivesoff,leavingGittesgaping.

INT.CORONER'SOFFICEHALLWAY

GITTES

Don'tgivemethat,Lou.You hauledmedown herefora statement.

Escobarshrugs.

ESCOBAR

Idon'twantit anymore.

GITTES

No?

ESCOBAR

No.Itwas anaccident.

GITTES

Youmeanthat'swhatyou'regoingtocall it.

Escobarlooksup.

ESCOBAR

That'sright.

(contemptuously)

Outofrespectforhis civicposition.

Resumewalking.

Gitteslaughs.

GITTES

What'dhedo,Lou,make apassat your sister?

Escobarstops.

ESCOBAR

No,hedrowneda cousinofminewithabout fivehundredotherpeople.Buttheyweren't veryimportant,JustabunchofdumbMexicans livingbya dam.Nowbeatit, Gittes,you don'tcomeoutof thissmellinglikearose, youknow.

GITTES

Ohyeah?Canyou thinkofsomethingtocharge mewith?

ESCOBAR

WhenIdo, you'llhearaboutit.

Gittesnods,turns,andwalksdownthehall.

OUTSIDEMORGUE

Gittesstopsbya bodyonthe table,thetoetaggedwithMulwray's name.MORTYisstandingnearitin a doorwaytoanadjoiningroom.A RADIOison, andwithit theannouncementthatthey'reabouttohear anotherchapterinthelifeof LorenzoJonesandhisdevotedwife, Belle.AnotherCoroner'sassistantsitsatthetable,listeningto theradioandeatinga sandwich.

Gittesamblesintotheroom.

MORTY

(acigarettedanglingout ofhismouth)

Jake,what'reyoudoin'here?

GITTES

Nothin',Morty,it'smylunchhour,Ithought I'ddropby andseewho diedlately.

Gittespicksupthesheetand pullsitback.CAMERAGETSITS FIRST GLIMPSEofMulwray'sbody.Eyesopen,thefacebadlycutand bruised.

MORTY

Yeah?Ain'tthatsomething?Middleofa drought,thewatercommissionerdrowns.Only inL.A.

GITTES

(lookingat.Mulwray)

Yeah.Bangedupprettybad.

MORTY

That'salongfall.

GITTES

Sohoware you,Morty?

Mortyiswheelinginanotherbodywiththe helpofan assistant.

MORTY

Neverbetter.Youknowme,Jake.

Ashe beginstomovethe bodyintotherefrigerator,hebreaksinto awrenchingspasmofcoughing.Gittesspotstheotherbody,lowers thesheeton Mulwray.

GITTES

(pickinguponcough)

Yeah,sowhoyou gotthere?

Mortypullsbackthesheet.

MORTY

LeroyShuhardt,localdrunkusedtohang aroundFerguson'sAlley.

Mortybrushessomesandfromtheman'sface,laughs.

MORTY

(continuing)

Quiteacharacter.Latelyhe'dbeenlivingin oneofthe downtownstormdrains.Hada bureaudresserdownthereandeverything.

Gitteshasalreadylostinterest.Hestartsaway.

GITTES

Yeah.

MORTY

Drowned,too.

ThisstopsGittes.

GITTES

Comeagain?

MORTY

Yeah,gotdeaddrunk,passedoutin the bottomoftheriverbed.

GITTES

TheL.A.River?

MORTY

(alittlepuzzled)

Yeah,underHollenbeckBridge,what'swrong withthat?

Gitteshasmovedbackto thebody,looksatit moreclosely.

GITTES

It'sbonedry,Morty.

MORTY

It'snotcompletelydry.

GITTES

Yeah,wellheain'tgonnadrownin adamp riverbedeither,Idon'tcarehowsousedhe was.That'slikedrowninginateaspoon.

Mortyshrugs.

MORTY

Wegotwaterout ofhim,Jake.He drowned.

Gitteswalksawaymumbling.

GITTES

Jesus,thistown...

EXT.SUNSETBOULEVARD–GITTES–DAY

He'sparkedonan overpass.ThesignHOLLENBECKBRIDGEononeofits concretecolumns.Gitteslooksdownintotheriverbedbelow.

FROMTHEBRIDGE

Gittescanseethe muddyremainsofacollapsedshack,itscontents strewndownriverfromthebridge.Belowhim,lyinghalfoverthe stormdrainandonewall thatwason thebankof theriverisa sign thatproclaims"OWNYOUROWNOFFICEINTHISBUILDING$5000to$6000" whichwasusedas aroof ofsorts.Downstream,there'sthedresser, anoil drum,aFordseat cushion,anArmourlardcan,etc.The trashyremainsofShuhardt'shome.

Gittesscramblesdowntheembankmentandashelandsnearthestorm drainoneshoesinks,ankledeepintomud. Gittespullsitout, swearing.

Hebeginsto walkalittlefurtherdownstreamwhenhehearsthe vaguelyfamiliarSQUISHYCLOPofsomething.

Clearingthebridge.ontheoppositesideisthe littleMexicanBoy, againonhis swaybackhorse,ridingalongthemuddybank.

Theylookat oneanotheramoment.

GITTES

(callingouttohim)

Youwereridingheretheotherday, weren't you...?

TheBoydoesn'tanswer.

GITTES

(continuing)

SpeakEnglish?...HablaIngles?

THE BOY

(finally)

Si.

GITTES

Didn'tyoutalktoa manhere...fewdays ago...woreglasses...he...

TheBoynods.

GITTES

(continuing)

Whatdidyoutalk about,mindmyasking?

Theshadowsofthe twoareverylong now.

THE BOY

(finally)

Thewater.

GITTES

Whataboutthewater?

THE BOY

Whenitcomes.

GITTES

Whenitcomes?What'dyoutellhim?

THE BOY

nightadifferentpart.

Gittesnods.Thehorsesnorts.TheBoyridesslowlyon.

EXT.RIVEBED–DUSK

Gittesscramblesuptheembankmenttonotethedirectionthestorm

HollywoodHills,wherethesunissetting.

EXT.GITTESINCAR –NIGHTFALL

Windinghiswayup asectionofthe HollywoodHills.Hepicksupon anopenfloodchannelwiththe spotlightbythedriver'swindwing.

GITTESINCAR– MOVING

Alongthefloodchannel.Itis darknowandGittesfollowsthe channelwiththecarspotlight.Heturnsata forkin theroadwhich allowshimtocontinuefollowingthefloodchannel.

FURTHERUP– MOVING

Theroadis narrower.Gittesdrivesmoreslowly.Foliageis overgrowninthechannelsoitsbottomcannotbe glimpsed. STILLFURTHER–NIGHT

Theroadis dirt.Heavyclustersofoaktreesandeucalyptusare everywhere.Itisverystill.Anotherturnanda pie-shapedviewof alake oflightsinthe citybelowcanbe GLIMPSED.

POV– CHAIN-LINKFENCE

Overtheroad,bolted.Itsays "OAKPASSRESERVOIR.KEEPOUT.NO TRESPASSING."

Thechain-linkitselfactuallyextendsoverthefloodchanneland downintoit,makingaccessalongthechannelitselfimpossible.

Gittesbacksup,turnsoffthe motor,thecarlights,thespotlight. Alone lightoverheadontensionwiresisthesoleillumination. Thereisonlythe eerieSOUNDofthe tensionWIRESHUMMING.

Gittesgetsoutof thecar,clubsthefencenear theFloodchannel itself.

ONTHE OTHERSIDE

GittescarefullyworkshiswayupthroughthethickFoliagetowarda

higherabovecanbeSEEN.

floodcontrolchannel,whichisatthispointaboutfourfeetdeep andsixfeet wide.ThereistheSOUNDof menscurryingthroughthe brush,comingnearhim,thenretreating.Gittesloseshimselfamong theivyin thechannel.

Hewaits.Themen seemtohave passedhimby.Butthereis another

lifthisheadto catchthedirection.

GITTESINFLOODCONTROLCHANNEL–NIGHT

Thenhe'sinundatedwitharushof waterwhichpoursoverhim, knocksoffhishat,carrieshimdown thechannel,bangingintoits banks,ashe desperatelytriestograbsomeoftheovergrowthto hangonand pullhimselfout.Buttheforceof thestreambatters himandcarrieshimwith ituntilhe'sbroughtrudelytothe chain- linkfence.Itstopshim cold.He'snearlystrainedthroughit.

Swearingandchoking,hepullshimselfoutoftherushingwaterby meansofthe fenceitself.

Drenched,battered,heslowlyclimbsbackoverthefenceandmakes hiswaytowardhis car.

ATGITTES'CAR

Hefishesforhis carkeys,looksdown.Oneshoe ismissing.

GITTES

(grumbling)

GoddamFlorsheimshoe,goddammit.

Hestartsto getintohiscar butMulvihillandaSMALLERMANstop him.Mulvihillpullinghiscoatdownandpinninghisarms,holding

inchanda halfup Gittes'leftnostril.

SMALLERMAN

(shakingwithemotion)

Holditthere,kittycat.

CLOSE–GITTES

Frozen,theknifeinhis nostril,thestreetlampoverheadgleaming onthe silveryblade.

THE SMALLERMAN

Youarea verynoseyfellow,kittycat...you knowwhathappenstonoseyfellows?

TheSmallerManactuallyseemstobe tremblingwithragewhenhe saysthis.Gittesdoesn'tmove.

SMALLERMAN

(continuing)

Wannaguess?No?Okay,losetheirnoses.

Witha quickflicktheSmallerManpullsbackon theblade,laying Gittes'leftnostrilopenaboutaninchfurther.Gittesscreams. Bloodgushesdownontohisshirtand coat.

Gittesbendsover,instinctivelytryingtokeepthebloodfrom gettingonhisclothes.MulvihillandtheSmallerManstareathim.

THE SMALLERMAN

(continuing)

Nexttimeyoulosethe wholething,kitty cat.I'llcutit offandfeed itto my goldfish,understand?

MULVIHILL

Tellhimyouunderstand,Gittes.

EXT.OAKPASSRESERVOIR–NIGHT

Gittesisnowgrovelingonhis handsandknees.

GITTES

(mumbling)

Iunderstand...

Gittesonthegroundcan seeonlyhistormentor'stwo-tonebrownand whitewing-tippedshoes,lightlyfreckledwithhisblood.

THESHOE

Comesupand lightlyshovesGittesintotheground.TheSOUNDof FOOTSTEPSRETREATING,Gittesgasping.

INT.GITTES'OFFICE–GITTES

Sitsbehindhisdesk,BACKTO CAMERA,notmoving.Duffysitsstaring atnothing,Walshmovesuneasilyaroundtheroom.

ThePHONEis RINGING.SophieBUZZES.

GITTES

(pressingdownintercom)

Yeah,Sophie.

SOPHIE'SVOICE

AMissSessionscalling.

GITTES

Who?

SOPHIE'SVOICE

IdaSessions.

GITTES

Don'tknowher.Takea number.

NEWANGLE– REVEALING

Abandagespread-eagledacrossGittes'nose.

WALSH

Sosomecontractorwantstobuilda damand hemakesa fewpayoffs.Sowhat?

GittesturnsslowlytoWalsh.Helightlytapshisnose.

WALSH

(continuing)

ThinkyoucannailMulvihill?They'llclaim youweretrespassing.

GITTES

Idon'twantMulvihill.I.wantthe bigboys thataremakingthepayoffs. DUFFY Thenwhat'llyoudo?

GITTES

Suetheshitout of'em.

WALSH

Yeah?

GITTES

Yeah.What'swrongwithyouguys?Think ahead.Wefind'em,sue 'em.We'llmakea killing.

(adazzlingsmile)

We'llhavedinneratChasen'stwiceaweek, we'llbepissingonice therestof our lives.

WALSH

Suepeoplelikethatthey'reliabletobe havingdinnerwiththeJudgewho'stryingthe suit.

Gitteslooksirritated.ThePHONERINGSagain.

SOPHIE'SVOICE

her.

GITTES

Okay.

Gittespicksupthephone.He winkstohis boys.

GITTES

(continuing)

Hello,MissSessions.Idon'tbelievewe've hadthepleasure.

IDA'SVOICE

Ohyeswe have...areyoualone,Mr.Gittes?

GITTES

(clowningalittleforthe boys)

Isn'teverybody?WhatcanIdofor you,Miss Sessions?

WalshpromptlystartstotellDuffytheAdmiralByrdstory.

IDA'SVOICE

Well,I'ma workinggirl,Mr.Gittes.I didn'tcomeinto seeyouon myown.

GITTES

Whendidyoucome in? IDA'SVOICE Iwas theonewho pretendedtobeMrs. Mulwray,remember?

Walshhasfinishedoffthepunchlineand bothmenare laughing raucously.Gittesdropsthemailhe'sbeenloafingthroughandputs hishandoverthe receiver.

GITTES

(toDuffyandWalsh)

Shutthefuckup!

(thenbacktoIda)

...YesI remembernothing,MissSessions, justgoingovera detailortwowithmy associates...youweresaying?

IDA'SVOICE

WellIneverexpectedanythingtohappenlike whathappenedtoMr.Mulwray,thepointisif itevercomesout Iwantsomebodytoknow I didn'tknowwhatwouldhappen.

GITTES

Iunderstand...ifyoucouldtellmewho employedyou,MissSessions.Thatcouldhelp usboth.

IDA'SVOICE

Ohno.

GITTES

...Whydon'tyou givemeyouraddressandwe cantalkthisover?

IDA'SVOICE

No,Mr.Gittes.Justlookin theobituary columnoftoday'sTimes...

GITTES

Theobituarycolumn?

IDA'SVOICE

You'llfindoneofthosepeople.

GITTES

'Thosepeople?'MissSessions.

Shehangsup.Gitteslooksto histwomen.

INT.BROWNDERBY– CLOSEONNEWSPAPER

Gittesisseated,flipsthroughthepaperuntilhefindsthe OBITUARYCOLUMN,scansit,looksup,abruptlytearsthecolumnfrom thepaperandputs itin hispocket.

Whenheclosesthe paperwecanSEE headlinesinthelefthand column:"WATERBONDISSUEPASSESCOUNCIL".Tenmilliondollar referendumtogobeforethepublic.

EvelynMulwrayisstandingatthetableas hedoesso. Herises, allowshertosit.

CLOSEONEVELYN

Gitteswatchesherassheremovesherglovesslowly...She'swearing dovegraygabardine,subdued,tailored.

GITTES

Thanksforcoming...drink?

Thewaiter'sappeared.EvelynislookingatGittes'nose.

EVELYN

TomCollinsWithlime,notlemon,please.

shestaresexpectantlyatGittes.

Gittespullsouta tornenvelope.TheinitialsECMcanbeSEENin a delicatescrollonthecomerofit.

GITTES

Igot yourcheckinthe mall.

EVELYN

Yes.AsI said,I wasverygrateful.

Gittes'fingerstheenvelope.Hecoughs.

GITTES

Mrs.Mulwray,I'mafraidthat'snotgood enough.

EVELYN

(alittleembarrassed)

Well,howmuchwouldyoulike?

CLOSEONEVELYN

GITTES

Stopit.Themoney'sfine.It'sgenerousbut you'veshortchangedmeonthestory.

EVELYN

(coolly)

Ihave?

GITTES

Ithinkso. Somethingbesidesyourhusband's

notthatupset.

EVELYN

Mr.Gittes...

(icily)

Don'ttellmehow Ifeel.

Thedrinkscome.Thewaitersetsthemdown.

GITTES

Sorry.Look,yousueme,your husbanddies, youdropthelawsuitlikea hotpotato,and allofit quickerthanwindfroma duck's ass.Excuseme.Thenyouask meto lieto the police.

EVELYN

Itwasn'tmuchof alie.

GITTES

Ifyourhusbandwaskilledit was.

(meaningcheck)

Thiscanlooklikeyou paidmeoff to withholdevidence.

EVELYN

Buthewasn'tkilled.

Gittessmiles.

GITTES

Ithinkyou'rehidingsomething,Mrs. Mulwray.

Evelynremainsunperturbed.

EVELYN

Well,IsupposeI am...actuallyIknewabout theaffair.

GITTES

Howdidyou findout?

EVELYN

Myhusband.

GITTES

Hetoldyou?

Evelynnods.

GITTES

(continuing)

Andyouweren'ttheslightestbitupsetabout it?

EVELYN

Iwas grateful.

Evelynforthefirsttimeappearsa littleembarrassed.

GITTES

You'llhavetoexplainthat,Mrs.Mulwray.

EVELYN

Why?

GITTES

(aflashof annoyance)

Look,Ido matrimonialwork,It'smymetiay. Whenawife tellsmeshe'shappyherhusband ischeatingonherit runscontrarytomy experience.

GitteslookssignificantlytoEvelyn.

EVELYN

Unlesswhat?

GITTES

(lookingdirectlyather)

She'scheatingonhim.

Evelyndoesn'treply.

GITTES

(continuing)

Wereyou?

Evelynisclearlyangrybutsheis controllingit.

EVELYN

Idon'tlikethe word'cheat.'

GITTES

Didyouhaveaffairs?

EVELYN

(flashing)

Mr.Gittes.

GITTES

Didheknow?

EVELYN

(almostanoutburst)

WellIwouldn'trunhomeand tellhim wheneverIwenttobed withsomeone,if that'swhatyoumean.

ThissubduesGittesalittle.Evelynisstilla littleheated.

EVELYN

(continuing;morecalmly)

Isthereanythingelseyouwantto know?

GITTES

Whereyouwerewhenyourhusbanddied.

EVELYN

Ican'ttellyou.

GITTES

Youmeanyoudon'tknow whereyouwere?

EVELYN

ImeanI can'ttellyou.

GITTES

Youwereseeingsomeone,too.

Evelynlookssquarelyathim.Shedoesn'tdenyit.

GITTES

Forverylong?

EVELYN

Idon'tsee anyoneforverylong,Mr.Gittes. It'sdifficultforme.NowI thinkyouknow allyouneedto aboutme.I didn'twant publicity.Ididn'twanttogointo anyof this,thenornow.Is thisall?

Gittesnods.

GITTES

Oh,bythe way.What'sthe'C'standfor?

He'sbeenfingeringtheenvelope...

EVELYN

(shestammersslightly)

K...Cross.

GITTES

Thatyourmaidenname?

EVELYN

Yes...why?

GITTES

Noreason.

EvelynturnsintoGittes.

EVELYN

Youmust'vehada reasontoaskme that.

GITTES

(shrugs)

No.I'mjusta snoop.

EVELYN

Youseemto havehada reasonforeveryother question.

GITTES

No,notfor thatone.

EVELYN

Idon'tbelieveyou.

GittessuddenlyturnssharplyintoEvelyn.

GITTES

(movingin)

Dome afavor.Sitstilland actlikeI'm charming.

Evelyninvoluntarilydrawsback.

GITTES

(continuing)

There'ssomebodyhere.Saysomething. Anything.Somethinglikewe'rebeing intimate.

EvelynreluctantlyallowsGittestomovecloseranddanglehishand infrontof theirfaces.Shestaresathim.

EVELYN

(meaninghisnose)

Howdidit happen?

GITTES

(quietly)

Beenmeaningtotalkto youaboutthat.

EVELYN

(quietly)

Maybeputtingyournoseinotherpeople's business?

GITTES

(quietly)

Morelikeotherpeopleputtingtheirbusiness inmy nose.

Evelynactuallysmilesalittle.

WOMAN'SVOICE

Yousonof abitch.

Gitteslooksupandflasheshissmile.

GITTES

Mrs.Match.How'reyou?

MRS.MATCHisswayingoverthe table,aplumpwomanwitha glassof whiskeyinonehand,a largepurseinthe other,anda menacinglook inher eye.

MRS. MATCH

Don'tgivemethat,you sonofa bitch.

GITTES

Okay.

GittesturnsbacktoEvelyn.

EVELYN

(softly)

Anothersatisfiedclient?

GITTES

Anothersatisfiedclient'swife.

MRS. MATCH

Lookatme, yousonof abitch.You...you bastard.Areyouhappy,areyouhappynow?

Shetriesto takeaswipeat Gitteswithherpurse.Gittescovers himself.Waitersrushover.

MRS. MATCH

Yousmugsonof a bitch.Myhusband'sso upsethesweatsallnight!Howdo youthink thatmakesmefeel?

GITTES

Sweaty?

Mrs.MatchswingsatGittesagainandagain.She catcheshimonthe nose.Ithurts.He coversit,thenswingshislegout fromunderthe tableanddeftlykicksherin theshin.

Mrs.Matchdropsherpurseand spillsherdrink.Shegrabshershin, hoppingaroundalittle.Thewaiterswhohadtriedto restrainher nowtryto keepherfrom fallingover.

GITTES

Let'sgetoutof herebeforeshepicksup her purse.

Theyriseandmove towardthedoor.

EVELYN

(quietly)

Toughguy,huh?

Gitteslooks,seesshe'skidding,andnods.

OUTSIDEINTHEPARKINGLOT– DUSK

Gittes'carhasbeenbroughtbythe parkingattendant.The attendantopensthepassengersideforEvelyn.

EVELYN

Oh,no.I'vegot myown car.Thecream- coloredPackard.

GITTES

(toattendantwho dutifullystartsforher car)

Waitaminute,sonny.

(toEvelyn)

Ithinkyou bettercomewithme.

EVELYN

Whatfor?There'snothingmoretosay.

(toattendant)

Getmycar, please.

ofhis carandin toEvelyn.Hetalksquietlybutspitsit out.

GITTES

Okay,gohome.Butin caseyou'reinterested yourhusbandwasmurdered.Somebody'sdumping tonsofwaterout ofthecity reservoirswhen we'resupposedlyinthemiddleofa drought, hefoundout,and hewaskilled.There'sa

manslaughterifanybodywantstotakethe troublewhichtheydon't.Itlookslikehalf thecityis tryingtocoveritall up,which isfinewithme. But,Mrs.Mulwray. (nowinchesfromher) Igoddamnearlostmy nose!AndI likeit.I

you'rehidingsomething.

Evelynsteadiesherselfontheopencardoor.Shestaresat Gittes fora longmoment.Thenhegentlytugsthe cardoorclosed.

EVELYN

Mr.Gittes.

Hedrivesoffinto theWilshiretraffic,leavingEvelynlooking afterhim.

INT.DWP– MULWRAY'SOFFICEDOOR

Withitslettering:

"HOLLISI.MULWRAY CHIEFENGINEER"

Gittesgoesthroughthedoortothe Secretary.Shelooksup.She recognizesGittesagainandisnothappytosee him.

GITTES

J.J.GittestoseeMr. Yelburton.

TheSecretaryimmediatelygetsupandgoesintotheinneroffice.

Gittesturnsandstrollsaroundtheofficeamoment.Hesees a photographicdisplayof"THEHISTORYOFTHEDWP.THEEARLYYEARS", alongthewall.He stopsashe spotsaphotoof themanwith the caneGitteshadseenphotosof earlier.Heisstandinghighinthe mountains,nearapass.Thecaptionreads"JULIANCROSS.1905". Crossisstrikinglyhandsome.

GittesimmediatelypullsouttheenvelopecontainingEvelyn's check.Helooksat thecornerofit, histhumbpressingdownunder themiddleinitialC,thenhe looksbacktothe photos.

TheSecretaryreturns.

SECRETARY

Mr.Yelburtonwillbebusyforsome time.

GITTES

WellI'mon mylunchhour.I'llwait.

SECRETARY

He'sliabletobe tiedupindefinitely.

GITTES

Itakea longlunch.Allday sometimes.

Gittespullsouta cigarettecase,offerstheSecretaryone.She refuses,Helightsupandbeginsto hum'TheWay YouLook Tonight,'strollingalongthewalllookingatmorephotographs.

INT.MULWRAY'SOFFICES

Herehespotsseveralphotosofa muchyoungerMulwray,alongwith JulianCross.Oneofthe captions:"HOLLISMULWRAYANDJULIAN CROSSASTHE AQUEDUCTCLEARSTHESANTASUSANNAHPASS.1912". Gittes,stillhumming,turnstotheSecretary.

GITTES

JulianCrossworkedforthewaterdepartment?

SECRETARY

(lookingup)

Yes.No.

GITTES

(humming,then)

Hedidor hedidn't?

SECRETARY

Heownedit.

Gittesisgenuinelysurprisedatthis.

GITTES

Heownedthewaterdepartment?

SECRETARY

Yes.

GITTES

Heownedtheentirewatersupplyforthe city?

SECRETARY

Yes.

GITTES

(reallysurprised)

Howdidtheyget itawayfrom him?

SECRETARY

(asigh,then)

display.Thewater.Ifyou'lljustreadthe display.

GITTES

(glancesback,hums,then)

Mulwray?IthoughtyousaidCrossownedthe department.

SECRETARY

AlongwithMr.Mulwray.

GITTES

Theywerepartners. SECRETARY

(testily)

Yes.Yes,theywerepartners.

Shegetsup, annoyed,andgoesintoYelburton'sinneroffice.

Gittesgoesbacktothe photographs.HehearsaSCRATCHINGSOUND, apparentlycomingfromjustoutsidetheouterdoor.

Hemovesquicklytoit, hesitates,swiftlyopensthedoor.Workmen arebehindit,scrapingawayMulwray'snameontheouterdoor, lookingupatGittesin somesurprise.

TheSecretaryreturns,seestheworkmanonthefloor.

SECRETARY

(toGittes)

Mr.Yelburtonwillseeyounow.

Gittesnodsgraciously,headsonintoYelburton'soffice.

INT.DWP– YELBURTON&GITTES

Thereisa subtlebutperceptibledifferenceinYelburton's attitude.He'snowheadofthe department.

YELBURTON

Mr.Gittes,sorrytokeepyou waiting.These staffmeetings,theyjustgoonand on.

GITTES

Yeah,mustbeespeciallytoughtotakeover underthesecircumstances.

YELBURTON

Ohyes.Holliswasthe bestdepartmenthead thecity'severhad.My goodness,what happenedtoyournose?

GITTES

(smiles)

Icut myselfshaving.

YELBURTON

Yououghttobe morecareful.Thatmust reallysmart.

GITTES

OnlywhenI breathe.

YELBURTON

(laughing)

Onlywhenyoubreathe...don'ttellmeyou're stillworkingforMrs.Mulwray?

GITTES

Ineverwas.

YELBURTON

(stopssmiling)

Idon'tunderstand.

GITTES

NeitherdoI,actually.Butyouhiredme or youhiredthatchippietohireme.

YELBURTON

Mr.Gittes,you'renotmakingabit ofsense.

GITTES

Well,lookatit thisway,Mr.Yelburton. Mulwraydidn'twanttobuildadam andhe had areputationthatwashardto getaround,so. youdecidedtoruinit. Thenhefoundout

hewasdrowned.

YELBURTON

Mr.Gittes!That'sanoutrageousaccusation. Idon'tknowwhat you'retalkingabout.

GITTES

Well,WhiteyMehrholtzoverattheTimes

downthetoiletinthe middleofa drought. That'snews.

Gittesheadstowardthedoor.

YELBURTON

Wait.Pleasesitdown,Mr.Gittes.We're... well,we'renotanxiousforthisto get around,butwehavebeendivertingalittle watertoirrigateavocadoandwalnutgroves inthenorthwestvalley.Asyouknow,the farmerstherehavenolegalrighttoour water,andsincethedroughtwe'vehadto cut themoff.Thecitycomesfirst,naturally. But,well,we'vebeentryingtohelpsome of themout,keepthemfromgoingunder. Naturallywhenyoudivertwateryougeta littlerunoff.

GITTES

Yeah,alittlerunoff.Wherearethose orchards?

YELBURTON

Isaid,the northwestvalley.

GITTES

That'slikesayingthey'reinArizona.

YELBURTON

Mr.Gittes,myfieldmenare outandI can't giveyouan exactlocation...

Gittesnods.

GITTES

You'reamarriedman,amI right?

YELBURTON

Yes...

GITTES

Hardworking,haveawifeand kids...

YELBURTON

Yes...

GITTES

Idon'twantto nailyou.I Justwantto know whoputyou upto it.I'llgiveyou afew daystothinkit over.

(handshimacard)

Callme.I canhelp.Whoknows?Maybewe can laythewholethingoff ona fewbigshots andyoucan stayheadofthe departmentfor thenexttwentyyears.

Gittessmiles,leavesanunsmilingYelburton.

Gittesenters,dropshishatonSophie'sdesk.Sophietriesto tellhimsomethingbutGittesgoesoninto hisoffice.

EVELYNMULWRAY

Issitting,smoking.Shelooksupwhenhe enters.

EVELYN

What'syourusualsalary?

Gittesmovestohisdesk,barelybreakingstrideatthesightof her.

GITTES

Thirty-fivebucksdailyforme,twentyfor eachofmy operators,plusexpenses,plusmy feeifI showresults.

He'ssittingnow.Evelynisverypalenow, obviouslyveryshaken.

EVELYN

Whoever'sbehindmyhusband'sdeath,whyhave theygonetoall thistrouble?

GITTES

Money.Howtheyplanto makeitby emptying thereservoirsthatIdon'tknow.

EVELYN

I'llpayyoursalaryplusfivethousand dollarsifyoufindout whathappenedto Hollisandwhois involved.

GittesbuzzesSophie.

GITTES

Sophie,drawuponeof ourstandardformsfor Mrs.Mulwray.

(heleansback;toEvelyn)

Tellme,didyou getmarriedbeforeorafter Mulwrayandyourfathersoldthewater department?

Evelynnearlyjumpsatthequestion.

GITTES

(continuing)

YourfatherisJulianCross,isn'the?

EVELYN

Yes,ofcourse.Itwas quiteawhileafter.I wasjustoutof gradeschoolwhentheydid that.

GITTES

Soyoumarriedyourfather'sbusiness partner?

Evelynnods.Shelightsanothercigarette.

GITTES

(continuing;staringat her,pointstothe ashtray)

You'vegotonegoing,Mrs.Mulwray.

EVELYN

Oh.

Shequicklystubsoneout.

GITTES

Istheresomethingupsettingaboutmyasking aboutyourfather?

EVELYN

No!...Yes,alittle.Yousee Hollisandmy fa...my fatherhada fallingout...

GITTES

Overthewaterdepartment,oroveryou?

EVELYN

(quickly)

Notoverme.Why wouldtheyhavea falling outoverme?

GITTES

(notinghernervousness)

Thenitwas overthewaterdepartment.

EVELYN

Notexactly.Well,Imean,yes.Yes andno. Hollisfeltthepublicshouldownthewater butI don'tthinkmyfatherfeltthatway. Actually,itwasovertheVan derLip.The damthatbroke.

GITTES

Oh,yeah?

EVELYN

Yes.Heneverforgavehimfor it.

GITTES

Neverforgavehimforwhat?

EVELYN

Fortalkinghimintobuildingit,henever forgavemyfather...Theyhaven'tspokento thisday.

GITTES

(startsalittle)

Yousureshoutthat?

EVELYN

OfcourseI'msure.

GITTES

Whataboutyou?Doyou andyourfatherget along?

Sophiecomesinwiththe form,cuttingoffEvelyn'sreply.Gittes placestwocopiesona coffeetableinfrontof Evelyn.

GITTES

Signhere...Theothercopy'sforyou.

Shesignsit.When shelooksbackup,Gittesis staringintentlyat her.

EVELYN

Whatareyouthinking?

GITTES

(pickinguponeofcopies, foldingit,puttingitin hispocket)

BeforethisIturnedon thefaucet,itcame outhotand cold,Ididn'tthinktherewasa thingtoit.

downthetinyaisleof theeightpassengercabin,whichisfullof

pokedbya pole,hasto movealong.

Oneof theoldmen sayssomethingtohim.

GITTES

(abovethe engines)

What?

OLD MAN

You'llhavetositwith thepilot.

Gittesmovesforwardintothecockpit,thePILOTlooksup– nodsfor Gittestositdown,firstmovinga halfeatencheesesandwichoutof Gittes'seat.

EXT.HARBOR-SEAPLANE

Taxiingdowntherampintothe sea.Ina moment,itkicksup a sprayoffoamand takesoff.

TheislandgraduallyloominglargerbeforethePilotandGittes.

ThePilotglancesoveratGitteswho,as usual,isimpeccably dressed.Acontrasttotheotherson theplane.

PILOT

(abovethe engines)

Well,you'renotgoingfishing.

Gittesshakeshishead.

GITTES

Notexactly.

PILOT

(winks)

Butthat'swhatyoutoldyour wife.

ThePilotlaughsraucously.Gitteslaughspolitely.

PILOT

Lotsoffellasdo.Tell thelittlewoman they'regoingonafishingtrip,thenshack upwithsomelittletwiston theisland... shepretty?

GITTES

(abruptly)

I'mgoingtosee aman calledJulianCross. Everheardofhim?

PILOT

IsthePope Catholic?Whoareyou,mister?... Iask becausehedoesn'tseeawholelot of people.

GITTES

I'mworkingforhisdaughter.

PILOT

(surprised)

Thatright?...Sheusedtobe somelooker.

GITTES

Sheain'texactlylonginthe toothnow.

PILOT

Shemustbe aboutthirty-three,thirty-four.

GITTES

Youmustbe thinkingofadifferentdaughter.

PILOT

No,he'sonlygot one,Irememberherage,I readitin thenewspaperswhensheranaway.

GITTES

Sheranaway?

PILOT

Ohyeah,it wasa bigthingatthe time. JulianCross'daughter.Godalmighty.Shewas awildlittlething.

Hegivesa sidelongglancetoGittes,alittleconcernedhe'ssaid toomuch.

PILOT

(continuing)

Course,shesettleddownnicely. GITTES

(smilingalittle)

Well,youneverknow,doyou?

PILOT

(looseningup)

That'sforsure.

GITTES

Why'dsherunaway?

PILOT

Oh,youknow.She wassixteenorseventeen.

GITTES

(nudginghim)

Wemissedthebestof it,didn'twe,pal?

Bothmenlaugha littlelewdly.

PILOT

Sheranoff toMexico.Rumorwasshewas knockedupanddidn'tevenknowwho the fatherwas.Wenttheretoget ridofit.

GITTES

Youdon'tsay?

PILOT

Crosswaslookingforherall overthe country.Offeredrewards,everything.Felt realsorryforhim,withall hismoney.

ALBACORECLUB–DAY

Apleasantbutunobtrusiveclapboardblueandwhitebuildingonthe

aburgeeof afish flyingfromitturnsandheadsin thedirection ofthe plane.

EXT.WINDINGROAD–RANCHODEL CRUCE

Gittes,driveninastationwagon,passesunderthesignwitha crosspaintedbelowthename.

Theranchitselfisonly partiallyinavalleyonthe island.Asthe wagoncontinuesonecanSEEthatit isactuallyaminiature California,encompassingdesert,mountainsandcanyonthattumble downpalisadestothewindwardsideofthe sea.

Thewagoncomesto ahaltwherea groupof handsareclustered aroundacorral.Thecircleof mendriftapart,leavingJULIANCROSS standing,usingacaneforsupport,reedybuthandsomeina rough linenshirtandjeans.Whenhe talkshisstrongfaceislively,in reposeitlooksravaged.

EXT.BRIDLEPATH– GITTES&CROSS

Walkingtowardthemainhouse.AclassicMonterey.Ahorseledon a halterbyanotherranchhandslowsdownanddefecatesinthe center ofthe paththeyaretaking.Gittesdoesn'tnotice.

CROSS

Horseshit.

Gittespauses,notcertainhehasheardcorrectly.

GITTES

Sir?

CROSS

Isaidhorseshit.

(pointing)

Horseshit.

GITTES

Yes,sir,that'swhatitlookslike.I'll giveyouthat.

Crosspauseswhentheyreachthedungpile.He removeshishatand wavesit,inhalesdeeply.

CROSS

Lovethesmellof it.A lotofpeopledo but ofcoursetheywon'tadmitit.Look atthe shape.

Gittesglancesdownoutofpoliteness.

CROSS

(continuing;smiling, almostenthusiastic)

Alwaysthesame.

Crosswalkson.Gittesfollows.

GITTES

(notoneto letitgo)

Always?

CROSS

What?Oh,damnnearyes.Unlessthe animal's sickorsomething.

(stopsandglances.back)

Andthesteamrisingoffit likethatin the morning.That'slife,Mr.Gittes.Life.

Theymoveon.

CROSS

(continuing)

Perhapsthispreoccupationwithhorseshitmay seemalittleperverse,butI askyouto rememberthis.Onewayoranother,it'swhat I'vedealtinall mylife.Let'shave breakfast.

EXT.COURTYARDVERANDA–GITTES&CROSSAT BREAKFAST

Belowthemisa corralwherehandstakeArabians,onebyone,and workthemout,lettingthemrunand literallykickuptheirheels. Cross'attentionisdivertedbytheanimalsfromtimetotime.An impeccableMexicanbutlerservesthemtheirmaincourse,broiled fish.

CROSS

Youknow,you'vegota nastyreputation,Mr. Gittes.Ilikethat.

GITTES

(dubious)

Thanks.

CROSS

Ifyouwere abankpresidentthatwouldbe onething,butin yourbusinessit's admirable.Andit'sgoodadvertising.

GITTES

Itdoesn'thurt.

CROSS

It'swhyyouattracta clientlikemy daughter.

GITTES

Probably.

CROSS

ButI'msurprisedyou'restillworkingfor her,unlessshe'ssuddenlycomeupwith anotherhusband.

GITTES

No.Shehappenstothinkthe lastonewas murdered.

Crossisvisiblysurprised.

CROSS

Howdidshe getthatidea?

GITTES

IthinkI gaveit toher.

Crossnods.

CROSS

Uh-huh.OhIhope youdon'tmind.I believe theyshouldbeservedwiththehead.

Gittesglancesdownatthefishwhoseisinglasseyeis glazedover withtheheatof cooking.

GITTES

Fine,aslongas youdon'tservechickenthat way.

CROSS

(laughs)

Tellme.Whatdo thepolicesay?

GITTES

They'recallingitanaccident.

CROSS

Who'stheinvestigatingofficer?

GITTES

LouEscobar–he'sa Lieutenant.

CROSS

Doyouknow him?

GITTES

Ohyes.

CROSS

Wherefrom?

GITTES

WeworkedinChinatowntogether.

CROSS

Wouldyoucallhima capableman?

GITTES

Very.

CROSS

Honest?

GITTES

Farasit goes.Ofcoursehe hasto swimin thesamewaterwe alldo.

CROSS

Ofcourse,butyou'vegotno reasontothink he'sbungledthecase?

GITTES

None.

CROSS

That'stoobad.

GITTES

Toobad?

CROSS

Itdisturbsme,Mr.Gittes.Itmakesme think you'retakingmydaughterforaride. Financiallyspeaking,ofcourse.Howmuchare youchargingher?

GITTES

(carefully)

Myusualfee,plusa bonusif Icomeup with anyresults.

CROSS

Areyousleepingwithher?Come,come,Mr. Gittes.Youdon'thavetothinkaboutthatto remember,doyou?

Gitteslaughs.

GITTES

Ifyouwant ananswertothat questionIcan alwaysputoneof mymenon thejob.Good afternoon,Mr.Cross.

CROSS

Mr.Gittes!You'redealingwithadisturbed womanwho'slostherhusband.Idon'twant hertakenadvantageof.Sitdown.

GITTES

Whatfor?

CROSS

Youmaythinkyou knowwhatyou'redealing with,butbelieveme,youdon't.

ThisstopsGittes.Heseemsfaintlymusedbyit.

CROSS

Whyisthat funny?

GITTES

It'swhattheD.A.used totellme about Chinatown.

CROSS

Washeright?

Gittesshrugs.

CROSS

(continuing)

...Exactlywhatdoyou knowaboutme,Mr. Gittes?

GITTES

Mainlythatyou'rerichandtoorespectable towantyourname inthepapers.

CROSS

(grunts,then)

'CourseI'mrespectable.I'mold. Politicians,uglybuildingsandwhoresall getrespectableiftheylastlongenough. I'lldoublewhateveryourfeesareandI'll payyouten thousanddollarsifyoucanfind Hollis'girlfriend.

GITTES

Hisgirlfriend?

CROSS

Yes,hisgirlfriend.

GITTES

Youmeanthelittlechippiehewas withat theElMacando?

CROSS

Yes.She'sdisappeared,hasn'tshe?

GITTES

Yeah.

CROSS

Doesn'tthatstrikeyouasodd?

GITTES

No.She'sprobably.scaredtodeath.

CROSS

Wouldn'titbeusefultotalk toher?

GITTES

Maybe.

CROSS

IfMulwraywasmurdered,shewasprobablyone ofthelast peopletoseehim.

GITTES

Youdidn'tseeMulwraymuch,didyou?

CROSS

No.

GITTES

Whenwasthelast time?

Crossstartstoreply,thenthere'stheSOUNDof aMARIACHIBANDand somemenin formationclearabluffaboutahundredyardsoff.They

arefatin thesaddleandpass alongindisorderedreviewtothe music.

CROSS

Sheriff'sgoldposse...bunchofdamnfools whopay$5,000apiecetothe sheriff'sre- election.Ilet'empracticeupout here.

GITTES

Yeah.Doyourememberthelasttime you talkedtoMulwray?

Crossshakeshishead.

CROSS

Atmy age,youtendto losetrack...

GITTES

Well,Itwasaboutfive daysago.Youwere outsidethePig'nWhistleandyou hadone hellofan argument.

CrosslookstoGittesin somerealsurprise.

GITTES

(continuing)

I'vegotthephotographsinmyoffice.If they'llhelpyouremember.Whatwasthe argumentabout?

CROSS

(alongpause,then:)

Mydaughter.

GITTES

Whatabouther?

CROSS

Justfindthegirl,Mr. GittesIthinksheis frightenedandIhappentoknowHolliswas fondofher.I'd liketohelp herifI can.

GITTES

Ididn'trealizeyouandHolliswereso fond ofeachother.

CrosslookshatefullyatGittes.

CROSS

HollisMulwraymadethiscityandhemade me afortune...Wewerea lotcloserthanEvelyn realized.

GITTES

Ifyouwant tohireme, Istillhaveto know whatyouandMulwraywerearguingabout.

CROSS

(painfully)

Well...she'sanextremelyjealousperson.I didn'twanthertofind outaboutthegirl.

GITTES

Howdidyou findout?

CROSS

I'vestillgota fewteethin myhead,Mr. Gittes,andafew friendsintown.

GITTES

Okay.Mysecretary'llsendyoualetterof

girl,orwhatEvelynmightdo toher?

CROSS

Justfindthegirl.

GITTES

I'lllookintoit assoonas Icheckout some avocadogroves.

CROSS

Avocadogroves?

GITTES

We'llbein touch,Mr.Cross.

INT.HALLOF RECORDS–DAY

Darkandquietexceptforthe whirringoffans.Gittesapproaches oneof theCLERKSata desk.

GITTES

I'ma littlelost.WherecanIfind theplat booksforthenorthwestvalley?

TheClerk'sdroopyeyeswidenalittle.

CLERK

Partofit'sin VenturaCounty.Wedon'thave VenturaCountyinourHallof Records.

Whichisa snottyremark.Gittessmiles.

GITTES

I'llsettleforL.A.County.

CLERK

(regardshim,then)

Rowtwenty-three,sectionC.

TheClerkturnsawayabruptly.Gittesregardshisbackamoment, thengoesto thestacks.

THROUGHTHESTACKS

GittesseestheClerkturnto another,saysomething.Thesecond clerkgetsonthe phone.Gitteswatchesamoment,thenswiftlyturns hisattentiontothestacks.

Hehaulsdownthe northwestvalleyvolume,opensit.It'shugeand there'salotto gothrough.

Theprintitselfmakeshimsquint.

INSERTPAGE

ShowingTRACT,LOT,PARCEL,evenaMETESANDBOUNDSdesignation wherethedescriptionofthelandparcelislong andhopelessly involvede.g.'6000pacestoRioSeco,thence7000pacesto Loma Linda,etc.'TheseDescriptionsareoldandfaded.Intheowners' column,howevertherearenumerousfreshlytypednamespastedover thepriorowners.

GITTES

Haulsthehugevolumebackto theClerk'sdesk.

GITTES

(to Clerk)

Say...uh...sonny.

TheClerkturnssharplyaround.

GITTES

Howcomeallthesenew namesarepastedinto theplatbook?

CLERK

Landsalesoutof escrowarealwaysrecorded withintheweek.

Gitteslooksalittlesurprised.

GITTES

Thentheseareallnew owners?

CLERK

That'sright.

GITTES

(astonished)

Butthatmeansthatmostof thevalley'sbeen soldinthe lastfewmonths.

CLERK

Ifthat'swhatit says.

GITTES

CanI checkoneofthesevolumesout?

CLERK

(quietlysnotty)

Sir,thisisnot alendinglibrary,it'sthe HallofRecords.

GITTES

Well,then,howabouta ruler?

CLERK

Aruler?

GITTES

Theprint'sprettyfine.Iforgotmyglasses. I'dliketo beableto readacross.

TheexasperatedClerkreachesaround,rummages,slapsaruleronthe desk.

Gittesgoesbacktothe stackswiththeruler.Heopensthe book, placestherulernothorizontallybutvertically.

INSERTPLATBOOKNORTHWESTVALLEY

BesidetheOWNERcolumnheplacestheruler,lookstowardthe clerks,thenswiftlyripsdownthepage,tearingouta stripabout twoincheswidecontainingtheowner'snameandproperty description.Ashetears,heeithersnifflesorcoughstocoverthe SOUNDofthe PAPERbeingripped.

EXT.ROAD– GITTESDRIVING–DAY

Amidstahallof shimmeringdustandheat,parchedanddrying groves,narrowerroads.

Hepassesa ramshacklehome,nexttoarottingorchard.Thereisa "SOLD"signonthe collapsingbarn.Gittesstops,checksit againstthenameshehad takenfromtheHallof Records.

OLDSTUCCOBUILDINGSFURTHERON.

Anda fewwitheredpeppertrees.Gitteshaspausedatthisdried- upintersection.Thereisa"SOLD"signon adrugstore.Gittes looksOFFSCREEN.

ComingINTOVIEWabovethearidfieldsis aspiralingcloudof purplesmoke.Gittesheadsinthatdirection.

Gittesparksattheedge ofthefield.Abouttwentyyardsawayis aman mountedona strangemachine,holdingalidoffit. Billowinglavendercloudsarebelchingforth.

SeveralCHILDRENarewatchingthemanatwork.

GITTES

(to oneof theChildren)

Say,pal,what'shedoing?

CHILD

Makingsomerain.

Gittesnods,walksovertothe manwhois elaboratelybusying himselfwiththeintricaciesofhismachine.He'sawareofGittes watchinghim.

GITTES

Well,you'rejustthemanI'm lookingfor.

TheRainmakernowglancesdownatGittes,whoas usualis immaculatelydressed.

GITTES

SomeassociatesandIarethinkingofbuying propertyouthere.Ofcourse,we'reworried abouttherainfall.

TheRainmakerstepsdown.

RAINMAKER

Noproblemwithmeon theJob.

GITTES

Yeah.

(glancingaroundatthe desolate,dryfield)

Doyouhave anyreferences?

RAINMAKER&GITTES

RAINMAKER

CityofLa HabraHeightsfilledan800,000 gallonreservoirwithsixteeninchesofrain intwodays.

GITTES

(nods)

That'sswell.Buthowabouthere?

(pullingoutnamesfrom his pocket)

EverworkedforRobertKnox,EmmaDill, ClarenceSpeer,MarianParsons,orJasper LamarCrabb?

RAINMAKER

Neverheardof'em...newowners?

GITTES

Yeah.

RAINMAKER

(climbingbackup)

togetin touchwithme iftheywantto hang ontotheirland.

GITTES

Yeah,I'lldothat.

GITTESDRIVING

Isnow coveredwithafilmof dust:

Hereachesa forkinthe dirtroad.Therearea coupleof mailboxes.

Gittestakesthisforkandbeginsa slowascent.

Ashe does,thetopsof aline ofbrightgreentreescanbe SEEN, comingmoreandmoreINTOVIEW,row uponrowof avocadoandwalnut groves,theirfoliageheavy.Thefewstructuresinthedistance arewhite-washed,andwellkept,rightdowntothewhite-washed stonesthatmarkthepathwaytothe home.Toweringaboveitallis ahuge woodenwatertank.

Gittesdrivesthroughagatethathas"NO TRESPASSING"and"KEEP OUTPRIVATEPROPERTY"signsneatlyprintedonit.

Hedrivesdownthe roadintothegrove.

GITTES

Pullstoa haltin theroadflankingtheorchardlanes.Heputs thecarin neutral,staresatthetrees.Bycontrastwithwhathe hasseentheyare lushandbeautiful,theirheavybranchesbarely swayingina lightbreeze.

Thena SHOTGUNBLASTabruptlystripsbarethebranches.ofthe treehe'dbeenstaringat.

EXT.AVOCADOGROVES–DAY

thefieldin thedirectionhehadjustdrivenis aRed-FacedMan inoveralls.Hishatblowsoff hishead.Hedoes not,however, losetheshotgunhehas justused.Gittes'laneofretreatis deniedhim.Hegunsthe car,andtakesoff downoneof theorchard lanes.

MOVINGWITHGITTES

Thedirtlaneis rough.AsGittesnearstheend ofit, aYounger Manon amuleblocksthe exit.

Gittesveersasharpleft,knockingabranchoff oneofthe trees, headingdownoneofthe cross-lanes.Herehe'spursuedbya scragglydogthatnipsatthe tires.Gittesyellsatit.

ANGLEONGROVE

Twofarmersonfoot,one usingacrutch,rundownthe lanestoward adust trailrisingabovethetrees.They'vespottedit.Clearly it'sfromGittes'car.

Thishide-and-seekchasebetweenonemanonhorseback,oneona muleanda coupleonfootcontinuesupand downandacrossthe orchardlanesuntilGittes'fronttireandradiatorareruptured byanotherSHOTGUNBLAST.

Gittes'carveersoff,scatteringastraygaggleofgeeseand smacksintoanavocadotree,shakinglooseabarrageofthe heavy fruitontoGittesandthecar.

Gittesimmediatelytriestogetoutthroughthebranchesoverthe backofhis car,buthe'spulledoff itby oneofthe younger farmers,ahugebrutewhohe beginstotusslewith.TheCrippled FarmerbeginstobangGittesonthe backwithhiscrutch.Thetwo ofthemmanageto poundGittestothegroundwithinmoments,where theCrippledFarmercontinuestowhackawayatGitteswiththe crutch.

TheolderRedFacedFarmerwiththe shotgunandtheManon a mule rideup.

RED FACEDFARMER

Allright,quitit!Quitnow! Searchtheman, seeifhe's armed.

Gittesisheftedhalfoffthe groundandthetwo youngerFarmers spinhimaround,goingthroughhisclothes.Gittesisbadlybanged upand halfouton hisfeet.Theytosshis wallet,hissilver cigarettecase,etc.ontheground.

RED FACEDFARMER

Isaidsee ifhe'sarmed,not emptyhis pockets.

BIG FARMER

Heain'tarmed.

Gittesleansagainstthebackofhis car,breathingheavily.

RED FACEDFARMER

Allright,mister.Whoyouwith?Water departmentortherealestateoffice?

Gittes'backisto theRedFacedFarmer.Hehas troublecatching hisbreath.TheCrippledFarmerpokeshimrudelyintheback with hiscrutch.Gittesturnssharply.

GITTES

(toCrippledFarmer)

Getawayfromme!

CRIPPLEDFARMER

Answerhim!

GITTES

Touchmewiththatthingagainand you'll needapair ofthem.

BIG FARMER

(shovingGittes)

Whyn'tyoupickonsomebodyyourownsize?

RED FACEDFARMER

Isaidcut thatout!Givehim achanceto say something.

Gitteslooksupat theRedFacedFarmer.

GITTES

(reachingdownforhis wallet)

Name'sGittes.I'maprivateinvestigatorand I'mnotwitheitherone.

RED FACEDFARMER

Thenwhatareyou doingouthere?

GITTES

Clienthiredmetosee...whetherornot the waterdepartment'sbeenirrigatingyourland.

RED FACEDFARMER

Irrigatingmyland?

(exploding)

Thewaterdepartment'sbeensendingyou peopletoblowup mywatertanks!Theythrew poisondownthreeofmy wells!Icallthata funnywaytoirrigate.Who'dhireyoufor a thinglikethat?

Gittesreachesintohispocket.Thepaper'sontheground.He picksitup.

GITTES

Mrs.EvelynMulwray.

BIG FARMER

Mulwray?That'sthesonofa bitchwho'sdone itto us.

GITTES

Mulwray'sdead.Youdon'tknowwhatyou're talkingabout,youdumbOakie.

TheBigFarmertakesa swingatGittes.Gitteskickshimsquarelyin thenuts,kneeshimin thejaw afterhe'sdoubledup,andhitshim

downonthe backofGittes'head.Gittesisknockedto theground andliesstillbesidetheBig Farmerwhoiswrithinginagonyin the dirt.

RED FACEDFARMER

Well,that'sthat.

BLACKSCREEN

There'saPURLINGSOUND,whichsoonbecomesdefinedintotheSOUND OFVOICEStalkingquietly–aboutwhethertomoveor notto move, doctors,etc.

CLOSE–EVELYNMULWRAY

Isstaringdownat Gitteswho'slyinginthescreenedinporchof thefarmers.Hiswife,theRed FacedFarmer,andtheBigFarmerare there,alongwiththedog.

TheRedFacedFarmer'swifehasset teaout.The farmers,allof them,nowseemawkwardanda littleembarrassed.

FRONTPORCH–RED FACEFARMER'SHOUSE–REACTION–GITTES– DUSK

HefocusesonEvelynwho sitsrightnexttohim. He'sgotdried blooddownthesideof hisfacefrom hisnose,a hugemouseonhis cheek,andhisclothesaretornin a coupleofspots.

GITTES

(to Evelyn)

What'sgoingon?

DUBOIS

(quietly,almostasif he were ina hospital)

Youdidn'tlooktoogood,so wethoughtwe bettercallyouremployer.

Gittesnods.Hecheckshiswatch.He looksout.It'salmostevening. Gittessaysnothing.Thewifeofthe RedFacedFarmer(DUBOIS)looks

reproachfullyatDubois.Gittesfeelsthebackofhishead,It obviouslyhurtshim.

EXT.DUBOISFARMHOUSE–EVENING

EvelynandGittesgoout tohercar, thecreamcoloredPackard. Duboisaccompaniesthem,alongwiththeBigFarmerwhoiscarryinga crateofsomething.Gitteshascleanedhimselfupalittle.

DUBOIS

Lookhere,ifit'sall thesamewithyou, we'llgetyourcarpatchedup.If you'lltell mewhatyourtrousersrunyou,I'll makegood onthem,Mr.Gittes.

GITTES

It'sokay,Mr.Dubois.

DUBOIS, (to Evelyn) It'sjustthatthey'reaftereverybodyout here,tearingupourirrigation.Ditches tryingtomakeourland worthlesssotheycan pickitup fortwenty-fivedollarsanacre.

Gittesnods.

DUBOIS

(continuing)

Anyway.Earlhereissorry,too.He wantsto giveyousomethingtotakebackwithyou.

Gitteslooks.Earlhasthehugecratehe's holdingbrim-fullof avocados.

GITTES

Thanks,Earl.

INT.CAR– EVELYN&GITTES– DUSK

Evelyndriving.

GITTES

Thanksforcoming...

Gittespullsoutcigarettecase,takesone,offersonetoEvelynwho refuses.

GITTES

Thatdamis acon job.

EVELYN

Whatdam?

GITTES

Theoneyourhusbandopposed.They'reconning L.A.intobuildingit,onlythewaterwon't goto L.A.It'llgohere.

EVELYN

TheValley?

GITTES

Everythingyoucansee,everythingaroundus. Iwas attheHall ofRecordstoday.

(whipsoutpapers,turns onthecar light)

Thatbotheryou?

EVELYN

No.

GITTES

(lookingoverpapers)

Inthelast threemonths,RobertKnoxhas bought7,000acres,EmmaDill12,000acres, ClarenceSpeer5,000acres,andJasperLamar Crabb25,000acres.

EVELYN

JasperLamarCrabb?

GITTES

Knowhim?

EVELYN

No,I thinkI'dremember.

GITTES

Yeah.They'vebeenblowingthesefarmersout ofhereand buyingtheirlandforpeanuts. Haveanyideawhatthis land'llbeworthwith asteadywatersupply?Aboutthirtymillion morethantheypaid. EVELYN AndHollisknewaboutit?

GITTES

It'swhyhe waskilled.JasperLamarCrabb. JasperLamarCrabb.

He'spullingouthiswallet,excitedlynow,spillingitscontents ontotheseat.He pullsouttheobituarycolumnhe'dfoldedup earlierintheday.

GITTES

(continuing)

Wegotit. Wegot it,baby.

EVELYN

What?Whatisit?

GITTES

Therewasa memorialserviceattheMarVista

threeweeksago.

EVELYN

Isthatunusual?

GITTES

Twoweeksagohe boughtthose25,000acres. That'sunusual.

EXT.MARVISTAINN ANDRESTHOME– NIGHT

Evelyn'scarpullsupbeforetheelegantSpanishresthome,its

thenameof theplacein elegantneonscroll.Itsitsonthe rolling greenlawns.

Gittesgetsoutof thecarwithEvelyn.He offersherhisarmand theygoup thewalkwaytothe entrance.

INT.MARVISTAINN ANDRESTHOME– NIGHT

GittesandEvelynareapproachedbyanunctuousmanin hisforties, witha flowerinhisbuttonhole.HeseesEvelynfirst.

PALMER

Hellothere,I'mMr.Palmer.CanI helpyou folks?

Thenhegets aclearlookat Gittes,bruised,trouserstorn,etc.

GITTES

Yes,Isure hopeso.It'sDad.

(indicatinghisdisheveled appearance)

Ijustcan'thandlehim anymore,canI, sweetheart?

Evelynshakesherhead.

PALMER

Ohmy goodness.

GITTES

(hastily)

NothingtodowithDad. It'sme,actually.

EVELYN

Theyjustdon'tgetalongverywell.Dad'sa lambwithanyoneelse.

PALMER

(notsosure)

Oh,well,I don'tknow.

GITTES

Naturally,Iwantthebestforhim, moneyis noobject.

PALMER

Perhapsifwecouldmeetyour father.

GITTES

There'sjustonequestion.

PALMER

Ofcourse.

GITTES

Doyouacceptanyoneof theJewish persuasion?

Evelyncan'tquiteconcealhersurpriseatthequestion.

PALMER

(veryembarrassed)

I'msorry.Wedon't.

GITTES

(smoothly)

Don'tbesorry,neitherdoesDad.Wantedto makesurethough,didn'twe,honey?

EvelynstaresbackatGittes,amusedandappalled.Shemanagesto nod.

GITTES

Justtobe certain,Iwonderifyou could showusa listof yourpatients?

PALMER

(politebutpointed)

Wedon'trevealthenamesof ourguestsasa matterofpolicy.Iknowyou'dappreciate thatifyourfathercameto livewithus.

GitteslockseyeswithPalmer.

GITTES

(confidentially)

That'sexactlywhatwewantedtohear.

PALMER

Oh,good.

GITTES

Iwonder,isit toolatefor usto havea lookaround?

PALMER

Idon'tthinkso. Behappyto showyou.

GITTES

Wouldyoumindif wetooka strollonour own?

PALMER

Just,ifyouwill,confineyourselftothe mainbuilding.It'snearlybedtime.

GITTES

Weunderstand,c'mon,sweetheart.

HetakesEvelyn.

INT.PARLOR–EVELYN

Looking.Eitherbyaccidentordesign,theprimarilyoctogenarian guestshavesegregatedthemselves.Inonewing,themenareplaying pinochle,someareplayingdominoes,oneelderlygentlemansitsby himselfcarefullypeelinganorange.

Inan adjacentparlorseveralwhite-headedladiesworkonaquilt.

GittesgrabsEvelyn'shand.

GITTES

(quietly)

They'reallhere.Everygoddamname.

Gittespointstothewall.It says"ACTIVITIESBOARD".Thereare titles."LAWNBOWLING"."BRIDGE"."FISHING"."CROQUET".Belowthem arethenamesof theguests,enteredundercertainactivities,for certaindays.

AfterEvelynlooks,sheturnstoGittes.

GITTES

(continuing;indicating the ancientsaroundthem)

You'relookingattheownersofa 50,000acre empire.

EVELYN

(astonished)

Theycan'tbe.

GITTES

Theymaynotknow itbutthey are.

Gittesstrollstowardthewomenknittingandworkingonthequilt.

GITTES

Hello,girls.

Twoof theladiesgiggle.Thethirdcontinuestobusyherselfwith herquilt,offby herself.

GITTES

(continuing)

Whichoneofyou isEmmaDill?

Twoof themsay"sheis,"and pointindifferentdirections.The thirdgivesthema curtlookandgoesback toherknitting.Gittes approachesher.

GITTES

AreyouEmma?

Someoldvoiceis singingsoftly,"Don'tSitUndertheAppleTree."

EMMA

Yes.

GITTES

I'vebeenwantingtomeetyou.

EMMA

Why?

GITTES

Didyouknowthat you'reaverywealthy woman?

EMMA

(stitching,smiles)

I'mnot.

GITTES

Wellyouowna lotof land.

EMMA

Notanymore.Oh,sometimeago,my late husbandownedagooddealof beachproperty inLongBeach,butwe lostit.

Gitteslooksatthequilt.In itis theheadof afish amongthe restofthe crazyquiltpattern.Gittesspotsit.

GITTES

That'sjustlovely.

EMMA

Thankyou...

Helooksthroughthequiltfor otherpiecesofthefish,comes acrossthetailandby itthe initialsA.C.

GITTES

(indicatingtail)

Wheredidyouget thismaterial?

EMMA

(whatitsoundslike)

Theapplecoreclub.

GITTES

Theapplecore?

EMMA

No.Thealbacore.It'safish.My grandson's amemberandthey takeverynicecareof us.

GITTES

Howdothey dothat?

EMMA

Giveusthings.Notjustsome oldflaglike this,but–-

GITTES

(kneeling)

Butwhat?

PALMER'SVOICE

We'reasortof unofficialcharityoftheirs, Mr.Gittes.Wouldyoucareto comethisway? Someonewantstoseeyou.

Gitteslooksup,seesPalmerstandinginthedoorway,lookingtaut anda littledrawn.Evelynisbesidehim.Shegesturesasif there's someonebehindPalmer.

Gittesrises.

GITTES

Seeyoulater,Emma.

HewalkstowardPalmerwhowaitsfor himtowalk infront.

ATTHE ENTRANCEHALL–MULVIHILL

Iswaiting.He'sgothis handinhis pocket.EvelynlookstoGittes. Thefourof themstandthere,Mulvihilltoweringovereveryone.

MULVIHILL

ComeonI wantyouto meetsomebody,Gittes.

GITTES

(glancingfromPalmerto Mulvihill)

Canweleavethe ladyoutof this?

MULVIHILL

(alittleuncertain)

Yeah,whynot?

GITTES

Okay,I'dliketo walkherto hercar.

EVELYN

I'llstay.

GITTES

(takingherbythearm)

Getinthe car.

MULVIHILL

I'llseeshemakesit.

openingtheglassdoorinthe entryway,puttinghisbacktoGittes fora moment.GittesswiftlypullsMulvihill'sjacketupoverhis head.Hespinshim around.Withhisjacketcoveringhisface,Gittes hammersawayatMulvihlll,beatinghimagainsttheglassdoor,along thewall,mercilesslypoundinghisfistsintotheclothuntilthe clothturnsredandMulvihillbeginstosinkto theredtile floor. Palmerscreams.Evelynstandsthereastonished.Mulvihill'sgunhas clatteredtothefloor.

GITTES

(asMulvihillhitsthe floor,toEvelyn)

Whatareyouwaitingfor?Get inthecar!

Evelyngoes.

Mulvihilltriestogetupagain.Palmerstartstogo forthe gun, nearlypickingitup.Gittesslapsitout ofhis handandkicksit. Itgoesflyingdownthe hall,atleastthirtyfeet;hitsthe wall.

Mulvihillwhostartstogetup,then collapses.

Gittesgoesoutthefrontdoor,ignoringtheexcitedaudienceof ancientsbehindhim.

OUTSIDE

AsGitteswalksdownthe pathway,hestops.Twomenarecoming towardhim.Oneof themisshorter,andhasthe nervous,jerkymoves ofthe manwhoslithis nose.

Gittesstops.Thetwomenfan outandcontinuetomove towardhim. Gittesspotsthetwo-toneshoes.Hebeginstobackup.

Suddenlythereisapair ofheadlightsflashingbrilliantlybehind thetwomen. Ina momentEvelyn'scarisheadedacrossthelawn directlytowardthetwomen,acceleratingasitgetsnearthem.They lookindisbelief,thendiveforsafety.Thecar skidstoa stop, fishtailingalittleonthegrass.

Evelynopensthepassengerdoor.

EVELYN

Getin.

Gittesjumpsinandshe takesoffacrossthelawn,tiltingthe elegantlittleneonsignonthelawn asshegoes.Two SHOTSARE FIRED.

INT.CAR– EVELYN&GITTES

Evelynlookingstraightahead,driving.Afteramomentshetakesone handoffthe wheelandrubsherleft eyea little.Gitteswatches her.Hesmiles.

EXT.VERANDA–MULWRAYHOME– NIGHT

Gittesstandsontheveranda,smokingacigarette,staringoffinto thenight.

Evelyncomesouttothe veranda,carryingatraywithwhiskeyandan icebucketonit. Shesetsit down.Gittesturns.

GITTES

(watchingherpour)

Maid'snightoff?

EVELYN

Why?

GITTES

(alittlesurprised,he laughs)

Whatdoyou mean,'why?'Nobody'shere, that'sall.

EVELYN

(handingGitteshisdrink)

Igaveeverybodythenightoff.

GITTES

Easy,It'saninnocentquestion.

EVELYN

Noquestionfromyouis innocent,Mr.Gittes.

GITTES

(laughing)

Iguessnot toyou,Mrs.Mulwray.Franklyyou reallysavedmya...my necktonight.

Theydrink.

EVELYN

toyou,Mr. Gittes?

GITTES

What'sthat,Mrs.Mulwray?

EVELYN

Well,I'monlyjudgingonthe basisofone afternoonandanevening,butifthat'show yougoaboutyour work,I'dsayyou'relucky togetthrougha wholeday.

GITTES

(pouringhimselfanother drink)

Actuallythishasn'thappenedtomeinsome time.

EVELYN

Whenwasthelast time?

GITTES

Why?

EVELYN

Just.Idon'tknowwhy. I'masking.

Gittestoucheshisnose,wincesalittle.

GITTES

Itwasin Chinatown.

EVELYN

Whatwereyoudoingthere?

GITTES

(takingalongdrink)

WorkingfortheDistrictAttorney.

EVELYN

Doingwhat?

Gitteslookssharplyather.Then:

GITTES

Aslittleaspossible.

EVELYN

TheDistrictAttorneygiveshismenadvice likethat?

GITTES

Theydoin Chinatown.

Shelooksat him.Gittesstaresoffintothenight.

Evelynhaspouredherselfanotherdrink.

EVELYN

Bothersyoutotalkaboutit, doesn'tIt?

Gittesgetsup.

GITTES

No.I wonder...couldI.Doyouhaveany peroxideorsomething?

Hetoucheshisnoselightly.

EVELYN

Ohsure.C'mon.

Shetakeshishand andleadshimbackinto thehouse.

INT.BATHROOM–MIRROR

Gittespullstheplasteroffhisnose,staresat itin themirror. Evelyntakessomehydrogenperoxideandsomecottonoutofa medicinecabinet.EvelynturnsGittes'headtowardher.Shehashim siton thepullmantileadjacenttothesink.

EVELYN

Doctordidanice job...

Shebeginstowork onhisnose withtheperoxide.Thensheseeshis cheek,checksbackinhishair.

EVELYN

(continuing)

Boyohboy, you'reamess.

GITTES

Yeah.

EVELYN

(workingonhim)

Sowhydoes itbotheryouto talkaboutit... Chinatown...

GITTES

Botherseverybodywhoworksthere,butto me...Itwas...

Gittesshrugs.

EVELYN

Holdstill.Why?

GITTES

Youcan'talwaystellwhat'sgoingonthere.

EVELYN

...No.Why wasit.

GITTES

IthoughtI waskeepingsomeonefrombeing hurtandactuallyIendedup makingsurethey werehurt.

EVELYN

Couldyoudoanythingaboutit?

They'reveryclosenowasshe'sgoingover amouseverynear his eye.

GITTES

Yeah.MakesureI don'tfindmyselfin Chinatownanymore.Waitasecond.

Hetakesholdof herand pullsherevencloser,

EVELYN

(momentarilyfreezing)

What'swrong?

GITTES

Youreye.

EVELYN

Whataboutit?

GITTES

(staringintently)

There'ssomethingblackinthegreenpartof youreye.

EVELYN

(notmoving)

Ohthat...It'sa flawinthe iris...

GITTES

...A flaw...

EVELYN

(shealmostshivers)

...Yes,sortof abirthmark...

Gitteskissesherlightly,graduallyrisesuntilhe'sstanding holdingher.Shehesitates,thenwrapsherarmsaroundhim.

INT.MULWRAYBEDROOM–TELEPHONE

Ona nightstand,citylightsvisiblethroughtheopenwindowbehind it.It isRINGING.Evelyn'sarmreachesINTOSHOT.SOUNDof somethinghittingtheheadboard.Gittesmoans.

VIEWSHIFTSTOINCLUDEGittesinbed,holdinghishead,whichhe's justhit.Evelynpausesinher reachtothephone.She turnstohim, whispers,"I'msorry,"kisseshimontheheadandlips.PHONE CONTINUESTORING.Shepicksitup.

EVELYN

Hello...

(inSpanishnow)

No,no,I'llcome andhelp,justkeep watchingheranddon'tdoanythinguntilI getthere...'bye.

VIEWSHIFTSAGAINTOINCLUDEGittesinbed,watchingEvelynnextto himas she'stalkingonthephone.Shehangsup. ShetouchesGittes' cheeklightly.

EVELYN

Ihaveto go.

Gittesstaresathersilently.

GITTES

Where?

EVELYN

Just...Ihaveto.

GITTES

AndI wanttoknowwhere.

EVELYN

(shestartsoutofbed)

Pleasedon'tbeangry...believeme,it'sgot nothingtodowithyou.

GITTES

(stoppingher)

Whereareyougoing?

EVELYN

(neartears)

Please!...Trustmethismuch...

(shekisseshimlightly)

I'llbeback.Look,thereis somethingI

ladymentioned,thepiecesofftheflag.

GITTES

TheAlbacoreClub.

EVELYN

Ithasto dowith myfather.

GITTES

Iknow.

EVELYN

Heownsit. Youknow?

GITTES

Isaw him.

EVELYN

(sittingupstraight)

Yousawmy fa...father?When?

GITTES

Thismorning.

EVELYN

(panicked)

Youdidn'ttellme.

GITTES

Therehasn'tbeenalot oftime.

Sheleapsoutof bed,throwingona robe.

EVELYN

Whatdidhe say?

(insistent)

Whatdidhe say?

GITTES

Thatyouwerejealous,andhe wasworried aboutwhatyoumightdo. EVELYN Do?Towho?

GITTES

Mulwray'sgirlfriend,foronething.He wantedtoknowwhereshewas.

Evelynstartsquicklyforthebathroom,thencomesbackandkneels bythe sideofthe bed,takesGittes'hand.

EVELYN

Iwantyou tolistento me.Myfatheris a verydangerousman.Youdon'tknowhow dangerous.Youdon'tknowhowcrazy.

GITTES

Givemean example.

EVELYN

Youmaythinkyou knowwhat'sgoingon,but youdon't.

GITTES

That'swhatyourfathersaid.You'retelling mehe'sin backofthis wholething?

EVELYN

It'spossible.

GITTES

Includingthedeathofyourhusband?

EVELYN

It'spossible.Pleasedon'taskmeanymore questionsnow.Justwait,waitforme.I'll beback.I needyouhere.

Shekisseshim,rushestothe bathroom,shutsthedoor.Gittes staresatit amoment.Thenleapsoutof bed,rummagesaround, tossesonhistrousers.Hegrabshis shoes,throwsthemon.Then hurriesoutofthe bedroom.

EXT.MULWRAYHOME–GITTES

Runningacrossthedrivewaytothegarage.Therearetwocarsthere. Mulwray'sBuickandEvelyn'sPackard.

Gittesmovesovertothe Buick,opensthepassenger'sdoor.

INT.BUICK- GITTES

Checkstheignition.Nokeyis init.He pullsa coupleofwires fromunderthedash,startsto messwiththem,seemssatisfied. Slidesoutacrosstheseat,slamsthedoor.

EXT.MULWRAYDRIVEWAY–NIGHT

GitteshurriesovertothePackard.Hegetsdown onthedriveway, lyingonhis back,bracinghimself.Withtheheelofhisshoe,he kicksatthe rightreartaillightofthecar.He shattersthered lens,getsup.He carefullypullstheredlensoffthe taillight, exposingthewhitelightbeneathit.Hetossesthered lensintothe shrubberyandhurriesbacktowardthehouse.

ONEREDAND ONEWHITETAILLIGHT–MOVING– NIGHT

Evelyn'scarspeedsalongthecurvesonSunsetBoulevard,thered andwhitelightscomingINAND OUTOFVIEW.

GITTESDRIVING–NIGHT

BehindthewheelofMulwray'scar,keepingahealthydistancefrom Evelyninfrontof him.

EVELYN'SPACKARD

Pullsupbeforea smalllittlebungalowhouse.Shegetsout,looks upand downthestreet.Thereisnothing.Shehurriesonup the walkwaytothefrontdoor.

DOWNTHESTREET– GITTESINBUICK

Idlestheenginewiththelightsoff.He bringsthecara fewyards furtherdownthestreet,parkingitnearEvelyn's.

Gittesgetsoutof thecarand goesupthe walkway.Thecurtainsare drawnexceptforoneof thesmallwindowsonthe sideofthe house. Hegoesto itand looks,balancingontheedgeofthe porch.

THROUGHTHEWINDOW

GittesseesEvelyn'sOrientalservantrushthroughthelivingroom ofthe smallhouse.Ina momenthere-emergesbackthroughthe livingroomcarryingatraywitha glassandpitcheronit.

GITTES

Aroundtotheside ofthehouse.He runsintoshrubberyandashort picketfence.

Heclimbsoverit, followsalongthestuccowalltoa seriesof windowsatthecornerof thehouse.Theseallhaveshadeson them. Hecan hearsomeonecryinginthehouse.Someoneelsetalking

blinds.Hemovestoone wheretheblindis notcompletelydrawn. There'saninchor soof spaceatthebottom.

THROUGHTHEWINDOW

Gittescanseethe servantagain.Evelynispacingbackandforthin andoutof hislineof vision.AfteramomentsomeonerisesINTO SHOT,obviouslyfromlyingonabed. Thefigureisjusta fewfeet fromEvelyn.Hertear-stainedfacecomesINTOVIEW.Itis unmistakablythegirlGitteshadlastseenwithHollisMulwray. Mulwray'sgirlfriend.She'slookinguptoEvelyn,speakingin Spanish.Herwordsarenotdiscerniblebutthetoneis bitter, anguished.Anewspaperisstrewnabouttheroom.

Evelynkneels.Sheinsiststhatthegirlswallowdownsomepills. Thegirlreluctantlydoes.

GITTES

Continuestowatch.

EXT.STREET–EVELYN– NIGHT

Emergesfromthehouse,goestoher carandgets in.

EvelynseesGittessittinginhercar,staringcoldlyather.

GITTES

Okay,givemethe keys.

EVELYN

(stunned,furious)

Youbastard.

GITTES

It'seitherthatoryou drivetothepolice yourself.

EVELYN

Thepolice?

GITTES

C'mon,Mrs.Mulwray.You'vegotyour husband'sgirlfriendtiedupinthere!

EVELYN

She'snottiedup!

GITTES

YouknowwhatI mean.You'rekeepingher thereagainstherwill.

EVELYN

Iam not!

GITTES

Thenlet'sgotalkto her.

Gittesstartstogetout ofthecar. Evelyngrabshisarm,nearly screaming:

EVELYN

No!

HerintensityactuallyripsGittes'alreadypartiallytornjacket. Helooksat itand her.Itseemsto havea momentarycalmingeffect onbothof them.

EVELYN

(continuing)

She'stooupset.

GITTES

Whatabout?

EVELYN

Hollis'death.Itriedtokeepit fromher,I didn'twantherupsetbeforeIcouldmake plansforherto leave.

GITTES

Youmeanshejust foundout?

EVELYN

Yes.

GITTES

That'snotwhatitlookslike,Mrs. Mulwray.

EVELYN

Whatdoesitlook like?

GITTES

LikesheknowsaboutHollis'death.Likeshe knowsmorethanyouwanther totell.

EVELYN

You'reinsane.

Gittesexplodes.

GITTES

Justtellmethe truth.I'mnotthe police.I don'tcarewhatyou'vedone.I'mnotgoingto hurtyou,butone wayoranotherI'mgoingto know.

EVELYN

Youwon'tgoto thepoliceif Itellyou?

GITTES

Iwillif youdon't.

Along pause.Evelyn'sheadsinksontothesteeringwheel,her haircoveringherface.

EVELYN

She'smysister.

Evelynisbreathingverydeeplynow.Notcrying,butthekindof

hershoulder.

GITTES

Takeiteasy...Ifit's yoursisterit'syour sister...whyallthesecrecy?

Sheliftsherhead andlooksupat him.He'sgenuinelypuzzled.

EVELYN

(reallyupset)

Ican't...

GITTES

BecauseofHollis?Becauseshewasseeing yourhusband?Wasthatit?JesusChrist,say something.Wasthatit?

Shenods.Gittessighs.

EVELYN

(finally)

Iwouldnevereverhave harmedHollis.I lovedhimmorethanmy ownfamily.Hewas the mostgentle,decentmanimaginable...andhe putupwith morefrommethan you'llever know...Ijustwantedhimto behappy...

Shebeginstocry softly.

GITTES

(afteramoment)

Itookyour husband'sBuick...

(heopensthecar door)

I'llreturnittomorrow.

EVELYN

Aren'tyoucomingbackwithme?

GITTES

Don'tworry.I'mnottellinganybodyabout this.

EVELYN

...That'snotwhatI meant.

Thereisa longmomentofsilence.GitteslooksovertoEvelyn.Her haircoversmostofher facefromhim.

GITTES

(finally)

Yeah,well...I'mverytired,Mrs.Mulwray. Goodnight.

Hegetsout andslamsthecar door.Shedrivesoff.

INT.SHOWER–GITTES'APARTMENT–GITTES

Thesprayis hittinghimfullonthe topofthe head.Gittesisso exhaustedhe'sliterallyholdingontothenozzleasthewaterpours down.Heshutsthe showeroff,reachesweaklyforatowel,dabshis noselightlywithit.

INT.GITTES'BEDROOM–GITTES

Padsaroundinelegantsilkpajamas.

Hewalksoverto thewindowwheremorninglightisstreamingin.He closesthecurtains,collapsesonthebed,ontopof thecovers,

amoment,thenpicksit upwithoutsayinganything.

VOICEON PHONE

(male)

Gittes?...Gittes?

GITTES

Yeah.

VOICEON PHONE

IdaSessionswantstoseeyou.

GITTES

Who?

VOICE0N PHONE

IdaSessions,yourememberIda.

Gittesslowlyrisestooneelbow.

GITTES

Yeah?...Ido?

VOICEON PHONE

Sureyoudo.

GITTES

Well,tellyouwhat,pal.If Idawantsto see meshecan callmeat myoffice.

Hehangsup, fallsbackdown.PHONERINGSAGAIN.ANDAGAIN.Gittes swears,picksitup.

VOICEON PHONE

6841/2EastTensington.EchoPark.She beggedmetocall.She'swaitingforyou.

BeforeGittescansayanything,thephoneclicksdead.

EXT.CERRITOSTOWERROAD–HOLLYWOODHILLS–EARLYMORNING

Gittespullsup.Itis a bungalowcourtyardwithaverynarrow walkwayandsicklygreenstucco.

EXT.IDASESSIONS'APARTMENT–DAY

Gittesatthefrontdoor.It's slightlyajar.Heknocks.Nothing.He opensitand enters.

inthe shaftsoflight.It'sstillandempty.Gittesseessomething downthehall,underthe legsofa telephonetable.Gittesmoves towardit.Itis grotesque.Whenhegetscloserhecan seeit'sa

onionslieonthe linoleum.Gitteswalksonintothekitchen.

Clearingthekitchencounter,GittesseesIDASESSIONSlyingonher backonthe floor,surroundedbythegroceriesfromabrokenbag. Icecreamhasmeltedaroundher.Her eyesareopen,a streamofants ismovingacrosstheice creamandintohermouth.She's recognizableasthewomanwhoposedasEvelynMulwray.

Gitteskneelsoverher.Hegingerlyopensherhandbag,fishesfor itscontents,takesthemandlooksatthem onthekitchencounter. Walletwithafew billsinit, driver'slicensewithhername.A ScreenActorsGuildcard.Gittesnods,turns,carefullyreplacesthe itemsinthe purse.

Heidlyopensthe broomcloset,pantry,andevenFrigidaire,which isall butempty.Thenhestepsover herbodyandmovesacrossthe halltoa doorthatis slightlyajar.

Gittesentersandturnsonthe light.

ESCOBAR

Findanythinginteresting,Gittes?

EscobarandanotherPLAINCLOTHEDMANstandinthebathroombythe

nowcomingdownthehall fromthebedroom.

Gitteslooksatthetwo, doesn'treply.

ESCOBAR

Whatareyoudoinghere?

GITTES

Didn'tyoucall?

ESCOBAR

(jerk ofhishead toward the kitchen)

Howdoyou happentoknowher?

GITTES

Idon't.

ESCOBAR

(turningtowardother room)

Letmeshow yousomething.

Escobarpointstothenumber"MU7279"on thesideof oneof the kitchencabinets.

ESCOBAR

Isn'tthatyournumber?

GITTES

Isit?I forget.Idon'tcall myselfthat often.

ESCOBAR

Justtobe onthe safeside,wehad Loach heregiveyoua ring.

Heindicatesoneofhis assistants.

ESCOBAR'SASSISTANT

(aslightsneer)

Whathappenedtoyournose,Gittes?Somebody slamabedroomwindowonit?

GITTES

(rightback,smiling)

Nope,yourwifegotexcited,crossedherlegs alittletooquick.You understand,pal.

TheAssistantstartstomoveforGitteswhois readyforhim. Escobarstepsbetweenthetwo.

ESCOBAR

(tootherAssistant)

Loach.

(Escobarpullsouta drawer)

Howaboutthese?Lookfamiliar?

Inthe opendrawerarethephotosof Mulwrayandthegirlin the park,boat,andat theElMacandoon theveranda.

GITTES

(nopointindenyingit)

Yeah,Itook'em. Sowhat?

ESCOBAR

Howdidshe...

(meaningthecorpse)

...happentohavethem?

Gittestakesadeepbreath.

GITTES

Eitheryoutellmeor I guess'causeIdon't havetheanswer.

Escobarnods.

ESCOBAR

YoureallythinkI'mstupid,don'tyou, Gittes?

GITTES

Idon'tthinkaboutit onewayor theother. Butifyou want,givemea dayor two,and I'llgetbackto you.NowI'd liketogo home.

ESCOBAR

Iwantthe restofthe pictures.

GITTES

Whatpictures?

ESCOBAR

(meaningthecorpse)

Thisbroadhiredyou,Gittes,notEvelyn Mulwray.

GITTES

Yeah?

ESCOBAR

Yeah.SomebodywantedtoshakedownMulwray, shehiredyou,andthat'show youhappento knowMulwraywasmurdered.

GITTES

Iheardit wasan accident.

ESCOBAR

C'mon,youthinkyou'redealingwithabunch ofassholes?Mulwrayhadsaltwaterinhis goddamlungs!Nowhowdidhe getthat...ina freshwaterreservoir?

Gittesissurprisedatthispieceof information,butremains nonplussed.

ESCOBAR

YouwerefollowinghimnightanddayYou saw whokilledhim.Youeventook picturesofit. ItwasEvelynMulwray.She'sbeenpayingyou offlikea slotmachineeversinceher husbanddied.

GITTES

(smiling)

Youaccusingmeofextortion?

ESCOBAR

Absolutely.

GITTES

Idon'tthinkI needa dayor two.You're evendumberthanyouthinkI thinkyouare. Notonlythat,I'dneverextorta nickelout ofmy worstenemy,that'swhereIdrawthe line,Escobar.

ESCOBAR

Yeah,Ionceknew awhorewho forenough moneywouldpissina customer'sface,but she'dnevershitonhis chest.That'swhere shedrewtheline.

GITTES

(smiling)

Well,Ihopeshe wasn'ttoomuchof a disappointmenttoyou,Lou.

Escobarmanagesathinsmile.

ESCOBAR

Iwantthosephotographs,Gittes.We're talkingaboutaccessoryafterthefact, conspiracy,andextortion.Minimum.

GITTES

Whydoyou thinkMulwray'sbodywasmovedyou dimwit?EvelynMulwrayknockedoffher husbandintheoceanandthoughtit would looklikemoreof anaccidentifshehauled himupto theOak PassReservoir?

Thisisa littletelling.

GITTES

(continuing)

Mulwraywasmurderedandmovedbecause somebodydidn'twanthisbodyfoundinthe ocean.

ESCOBAR

Andwhy'sthat?

GITTES

Hefoundoutsomebodywasdumpingwater there.That'swhattheyweretryingtocover upby movinghim.

ThisstopsEscobar.He'sdumbfoundedbyit.

ESCOBAR

Whatareyoutalkingabout?

GITTES

C'monI'llshowyou.

Escobarhesitates.

GITTES

(continuing)

C'monmakeadecision,Lou.You'reincharge.

ThemenaroundEscobarlookto him.Escobargrudginglynods.

CLOSESHOT– STORMDRAIN

ItyawnsAT CAMERA,onlyatrickleofwaterdroppingintotheocean.

VIEWWIDENSTOINCLUDEEscobar,Gittes,andtwoPlainclothesmen, standingandstaringattheemptypipeas iftheyexpectit totalk.

GITTES

(squintinginsunlight)

It'stoolate.

ESCOBAR

Toolateforwhat?

GITTES

Theyonlydumpthewaterat night.

ATHIRDASSISTANTrunsdowntheside ofthecliffand Overto Escobar.

ESCOBAR

Reachanybody?

THIRDASSISTANT

Yelburton,he'sthenewchief.

ESCOBAR

Iknowwho heis. Well?

THIRDASSISTANT

Hesays–-

GITTES

Iknowwhat hesays.

ESCOBAR

(toGittes)

Shutup.

(toAssistant)

Goon.

THIRDASSISTANT

Yelburtonsaysthey'reirrigatinginthe valley.There'salwaysalittlerunoffwhen theydothat.And hesaysis Gittesknows that,andhasbeengoingaroundmaking irresponsibleaccusationsforthelastweek.

EscobarturnstoGittes.Staresathimfor alongmoment.

ONE OFASSISTANTS

Let'sswearouta warrantforherarrest. Whatarewe waitingfor?

GITTES

(meaningEscobar)

Becausehejustmadelieutenant,andhewants tohangontohis littlegoldbar.

EscobarstareshatefullyatGittes.

ESCOBAR

Haveyourclientinmy officeintwohours andremember.Idon'thaveto letyougo. I'vegotyoufor withholdingevidenceright now.

EXT.MULWRAYHOME–DAY

GittesinMulwray'sBuickwhipsintothedriveway.Helooksinthe garage.Evelyn'scarisgone.OnlytheGardener'struckisthere.

Gitteshurriesalongthepathwayandupto thehouse.Heringsthe doorbell.Scarcelywaitingforananswerhetriesit.It'slocked. Hereachesintohispocketpullsout hiscigarettecase,takesa pickoutof thesideand startstofoolwiththe lock.

TheMaidopensthe doorabruptly,staresinsomesurpriseatGittes.

GITTES

Where'sMrs.Mulwray?

MAID

Noesta.

GitteslookspasttheMaidto thecenterofthe livingroomwhere luggageispackedandneatlypiled.

TheMaidis actuallyintheprocessofthrowingcoversoverthe furniture.

GITTES

(indicatingluggage)

IsMrs.Mulwraygoingsomeplace?...

(no answer)

ona trip?...vacation?...

MAID

Noestain casa.

Gittesnods.Hecontinuesthroughthehouseandoutbackto the veranda.

EXT.MULWRAYVERANDA–GITTES

fewyardsin thatdirection.

GARDENER

SpotsGittes,half-bows,nodsandsmiles.

GITTES

Inturn,nods,smiles.

GITTES

Badforglass.

GARDENER

Breaksintoabig grin.Nodsagain.

GARDENER

Ohyes,bad forglass.

Hepointsto thenewlymownlawn.

GARDENER

(continuing)

Saltwatervellybadforglass.

GITTES

Can'tquitebelievewhathe'sheard,

GITTES

Saltwater?

TheGardenernodsvigorously.Pointstothepond.

GARDENER

Vellyvellybad.

Gitteshasmovedtothe pond.Hekneels.Clingingtotheedgeof it hecan nowseeas hecouldhavebeforeif he'dlookedclosely,a starfish.

CLOSESTARFISH

Ithas onelegmissing.Thefifthpointon thestaris Just beginningtogrowback.

GITTES

Touchesthewater,tastesit.Helickshis lips,thenspots somethingglintinginthebottomofthepond.

GITTES

What'sthat...downthere?

TheGardenerpeersintothepond.

GITTES

(continuing)

...there.

TheGardenerspotsit.Herollsup histrousers,getsinthe pond, andreachesintothebottom,hischinactuallytouchingthewater. Hemissestheobject,whichseemsto scootawaylikeananimal.Then hegraspsit.He liftsitout ofthe waterandholdsa pairofeye glasses,rimless,bent,hisfingerpokingthroughtheframewhere onelensis shattered.

heavilybifocalandreflectthesun.

Gittesholdsthephonetohis ear.Onthe telephonetable,lyingon hishandkerchiefaretheglasses.

TheMaidhoversaroundoverGittes'shoulder,uneasilywatchinghim.

CROSS'VOICE

Hello.

GITTES

Haveyougotyour checkbookhandy,Mr.Cross? I'vegotthegirl.

CROSS'VOICE

You'vegother?Where?

GITTES

Doyourememberthefigureswediscussed?

CROSS'VOICE

OfcourseI do.Whereareyou?

GITTES

Atyourdaughter'shouse.Howsooncanyou gethere?

CROSS'VOICE

Twohours...tellme,willEvelynbethereas well?

GITTES

Eitherthatorshe'llbein jail.

CROSS'VOICE

Whatareyoutalkingabout?

GITTES

Justbringyourcheckbook.

Gitteshangsup.

EXT.BUNGALOWHOUSE–ADELAIDEDRIVE

Gittespullsupin Mulwray'sBuick.Hehurriestothefrontdoor, poundsonit.

TheChineseservantanswersthedoor.

CHINESESERVANT

Youwait.

GITTES

(shortsentencein Chinese)

Youwait.

Gittespushespasthim.Evelyn,lookingalittlewornbutgladto seehimhurriesto thedoor.ShetakesGittes'arm.

EVELYN

Howareyou?I wascallingyou.

Shelooksat him,searchinghisface.

GITTES

Yeah?

Theymoveintothe livingroom.Gittesislookingaroundit.

EVELYN

Didyouget somesleep?

GITTES

Sure.

EVELYN

Didyouhavelunch?Kyo willfixyou something.

GITTES

(abruptly)

Where'sthegirl?

EVELYN

Upstairs.Why?

GITTES

Iwantto seeher.

EVELYN

...she'shavingabath now...whydoyou wanttosee her?

packingina bedroomoffthelivingroom.

GITTES

Goingsomewhere?

EVELYN

Yes,we'vegota 4:30traintocatch.Why?

Gittesdoesn'tanswer.Hegoestothephoneand dials.

GITTES

J.J. GittesforLieutenantEscobar

EVELYN

Whatareyoudoing?What'swrong?I toldyou we'vegota 4:30.

GITTES

(cuttingheroff)

You'regoingtomissyourtrain!

(then,intophone)

Lou,meetmeat 1412Adelaide.It'sabove SantaMonicaCanyon...yeah,soonasyoucan.

EVELYN

Whatdidyoudo thatfor?

GITTES

(amoment,then)

Youknowanygood criminallawyers?

EVELYN

(puzzled)

No...

GITTES

Don'tworry.Icanrecommendacouple. They'reexpensivebutyoucanaffordit.

EVELYN

(evenlybutwithgreat anger)

Whatthehellis thisallabout?

Gitteslooksather,thentakesthe handkerchiefoutofhisbreast pocket.Unfoldsitona coffeetable,revealingthebifocalglasses, onelensstillintact.Evelynstaresdumblyatthem.

GITTES

Ifoundthesein yourbackyard...inyour fishpond.Theybelongedtoyourhusband, didn'tthey?...didn'tthey?

EVELYN

Idon'tknow.I meanyes,probably.

GITTES

Yespositively.That'swherehewas drowned...

EVELYN

Whatareyousaying?

GITTES

There'snotimeforyou tobe shockedbythe truth,Mrs.Mulwray.Thecoroner'sreport proveshewaskilledin saltwater.Justtake mywordfor it.NowI wantto knowhowit happenedandwhy.Iwantto knowbefore EscobargetsherebecauseIwantto hangonto mylicense.

EVELYN

Idon'tknowwhat you'retalkingabout.This isthemost insane...thecraziestthingI ever...

Gitteshasbeenin astateof nearfrenzyhimself.getsup,shakes her.

GITTES

Stopit!I'llmakeit easy.Youwerejealous, youfought,hefell,hithis head.Itwas an accident,buthisgirlisa witness.You've hadtopay heroff.You don'thavethe stomachtoharmher,butyou'vegot themoney toshuther up.Yesor no?

EVELYN

...no...

GITTES

Whoisshe? Anddon'tgiveme thatcrapabout itbeingyoursister.Youdon'thavea sister.

Evelynistrembling.

EVELYN

I'lltellyouthe truth...

Gittessmiles.

GITTES

That'sgood.Nowwhat'shername?

EVELYN

Katherine.

GITTES

Katherine?...Katherinewho?

EVELYN

She'smydaughter.

Gittesstaresather.He'sbeenchargedwithangerand whenEvelyn saysthisit explodes.Hehitsherfullin theface.Evelynstares backathim. Theblowhasforcedtearsfromher eyes,butshemakes nomove,not eventodefendherself.

GITTES

Isaidthe truth!

EVELYN

She'smysister.

Gittesslapsheragain.

EVELYN

(continuing)

She'smydaughter.

Gittesslapsheragain.

EVELYN

(continuing)

Mysister.

Hehitsher again.

EVELYN

(continuing)

Mydaughter,mysister.

Hebeltsher finally,knockingherintoacheapChinesevasewhich shattersandshecollapsesonthesofa,sobbing.

GITTES

IsaidI wantthe truth.

EVELYN

(almostscreamingit)

She'smysisterandmy daughter!

Kyocomesrunningdownthestairs.

EVELYN

(continuing;inChinese)

ForGod'ssake,Kyo,keepher upstairs,go back!

KyoturnsafterstaringatGittesfora momentthengoesback upstairs.

EVELYN

(continuing)

MyfatherandI, understand,orisittoo toughforyou?

Gittesdoesn'tanswer.

EVELYN

(continuing)

...hehad abreakdown...thedambroke...my motherdied...hebecamealittleboy...I wasfifteen...he'daskmewhatto eatfor breakfast,whatclothestowear!...It happened...thenIranaway...

GITTES

ToMexico...

Shenods.

EVELYN

Holliscameandtook...careofme...after shewasborn...hesaid...he tookcareof her...Icouldn'tseeher...Iwantedto but Icouldn't...Ijustwantto seeheronce in awhile...takecareof her...that'sall... butI don'twantherto know...Idon'twant hertoknow...

GITTES.

...sothat'swhy youhatehim...

EvelynlooksslowlyupatGittes.

EVELYN

No...forturninghisbackon meafterit happened!Hecouldn'tfaceit...

(weeping)

Ihatehim.

Gittessuddenlyfeelstheneedtoloosenhistie.

GITTES

Yeah...whereareyoutakinghernow?

EVELYN

BacktoMexico.

GITTES

Youcan'tgoby train.Escobar'llbelooking foryoueverywhere.

EVELYN

Howabouta plane?

GITTES

That'sworse...Justgetoutofhere.Walk out,leaveeverything.

EVELYN

Ihaveto gohome andgetmy things.

GITTES

I'lltakecareof it.

EVELYN

Wherecanwego?

GITTES

...wheredoesKyolive?

EVELYN

Withus.

GITTES

Onhisday off.Getthe exactaddress.

EVELYN

Okay...

Shestopssuddenly.

EVELYN

Thosedidn'tbelongtoHollis.

Fora momentGittesdoesn'tknowwhatshe'stalkingabout.Thenhe followshergazetothe glasseslyingonhishandkerchief.

GITTES

Howdoyou know?

EVELYN

Hedidn'twearbifocals.

Gittespicksuptheglasses,staresatthe lens,ismomentarilylost inthem.

EVELYN

Fromthestairs.Shehas herarmaroundKatherine.

EVELYN

SayhellotoMr. Gittes,sweetheart.

KATHERINE

(from thestairs)

Hello.

GITTES

Risesalittleshakilyfromthearm ofthe sofa.

GITTES

Hello.

Withherarm aroundthegirl,talkinginSpanish,Evelynhurriesher towardthebedroom.Ina momentshere-emerges.

EVELYN

(callingdown)

Helivesat 1712Alameda...doyouknowwhere thatis?

REACTION–GITTES

Henodsslowly.

GITTES

Sure.It'sChinatown.

THRUWINDOW

OfbungalowGitteswatchesEvelyn,thegirlandKyoheadfor Kyo's blackdustysedan.

Gittesdropsthecurtain,headsswiftlytothephone.Hedials.

GITTES

Sophie...isWalshthere?...yeah,listen, pal,Escobar'sgoingtotryandbookme in aboutfiveminutes...relax,I'lltellyou. Waitinthe officefortwohours.Ifyou don'thearfromme,you andDuffymeetme at 1712Alameda.

WALSH'SVOICE

Jesus,that'sinChinatown,ain'tit?

ThefrontBELLRINGS.

GITTES

Iknowwhereit is!Justdo it.

Gitteshangsupandgoes tothedoor.He opensit.No oneis there.

GITTES

(notevenbotheringto lookaroundthesides)

Comeonin, Lou.We'rebothtoolate.

Escobarandhisminionsappearfromeithersideofthe door.

GITTES

(continuing)

Lookslikesheflewthe coop.

Escobarnods.

ESCOBAR

Idon'tsupposeyougot anyideaWhereshe went?

GITTES

MatteroffactI do.

ESCOBAR

Where?

GITTES

Hermaid'shouse.Ithinkshe knows something'sup.

ESCOBAR

What'sthemaid'saddress?

GITTES

ShelivesinPedro.I'llwriteit downfor you.

ESCOBAR

No,Gittes,you'llshowus.

GITTES

Whatfor?

ESCOBAR

Ifshe'snotthere,you'regoingdowntown, andyou'restayingtheretilsheshowsup.

GITTES

(deliberatelypetulant)

Gee,Lou,I'mdoingthe bestIcan.

ESCOBAR

(shovinghimtowardthe door)

Tellusaboutit onthe waytoPedro.

EXT.SANPEDRO– 29THSTREET– DAY

Asteephill overlookspartoftheharbor.Escobar'sunmarkedcar pullsupto astop infrontof aSpanishduplexperchedonthesteep hillside.

ESCOBAR

That'sit?

GITTES

Yeah.

ESCOBAR

Well,let'sgo.

GITTES

Dome afavor,willyou,Lou?

Escobarwaits.

GITTES

(continuing)

Letmebringher downmyself...she'snot armedornothing...shewon'tbeany problem...I'djustlikeaminutealonewith her...Itwouldmeansomething...to... her...andtome.

Escobarshakeshishead.Fora momentitlookslikeit meansno.

ESCOBAR

Youneverlearn,doyou,Gittes?

GITTES

(a littlechagrined)

Iguessnot.

ESCOBAR

Giveyouthreeminutes.

GITTES

Gee,thanks,Lou.

Gittesgetsoutof thecar,glancesaround,goesupthestairs.He looksbackdownat Escobar.Gittesringsthebell.Hewaits.It opens.It'saWOMANwho'snot recognizable.She'sgottheremnants ofa blackeye.

WOMAN

Yes?...

Gitteslookspastherto Curly,thefishermanfromthefirstscene. He'sseatedatthe dinnertablewithhisfather,hismother,andhis children.Curlylooksupinsurprise.

CURLY

(happily)

Mr.Gittes!Comein,comein.

him,greetshimhappily.

CURLY

Gee,thisisa surprise,Mr.Gittes.

GITTES

CallmeJake.How iseverything?

CURLY

Justsittingdowntosupper,Jake.Careto joinus? GITTES Nothanks.

CURLY

Howabouta glassofwine?Honey,thisis.

WIFE

(coolly)

Yes,Iknow.

GITTES

Thanksjustthesame,Curly.Icoulduse a glassofwater,though.Comeoutwithme to thekitchenfora second.

CURLY

(puzzled)

Surething.

INT.KITCHEN–GITTESANDCURLY

GITTES

Curly,where'syourcar?

CURLY

Inthegarage.

GITTES

Where'sthat?

CURLY

Offthealley.

GITTES

Couldyoudrivemesomewhere?

CURLY

Sure,assoonas weeat.

GITTES

Rightnow,Curly.Itcan'twait.

CURLY

I'lljusttellmy wife.

GITTES

(pullinghimouttheback door)

Tellherlater.

Theyheadoutthe backdooranddown thestepstowardthegarage.

Curlypullsopenthegaragedoor.Getsin, startsthecar,backsit out.It'san old,latetwentiesPlymouthSedan.Gitteshopsin.They takeoff.At theedgeof thealleyGitteslooksback.

POVFROMCURLY'SCAR

Escobarisgettingoutofhis car,movingtowardstheduplex.Gittes slipsdowninthe seat.

GITTES'VOICE

Justdriveslowfora blockortwo, willyou, Curly?

CURLY'SVOICE

What'sthisallabout?

GITTES'VOICE

Tellyouin acoupleof blocks.

INT.SEDAN– GITTESANDCURLY

GITTES

Howmuchdo youoweme, Curly?

CURLY

(embarrassed)

Oh,gee,Mr.Gitteswe'regoingout tomorrow. Iknowyou beenrealgoodaboutit butmy cousinAuggie'ssick.

GITTES

Forgetit.Howwouldyoulike topayme off bytakinga coupleofpassengersto Ensenada...you'dhavetoleavetonight.

CURLY

Idon'tknow...

GITTES

Imightbe abletosqueezean extraseventy- fivebucksoutof itforyou. Maybeaneven hundred.

CURLY

PluswhatI oweyou?

GITTES

I'llthrowthatintoo.

CURLY

(smiling)

Okay,yougotyourselfaboat.

EXT.MULWRAYHOME–GITTESAND CURLY

Carrybagsoutto Curly'scar.Curlyopensthedoorforthe Maid. Shegetsin. Heturnsto Gittes.

GITTES

TellMrs.Mulwraytowaitfor halfanhour afteryougetthere.Thenif Idon'tshow, takeherdownto theboat.

CURLY

(alittleworried)

Yousurethisis okay?

GITTES

(mildlyindignant)

Curly,youknowhowlongI beenin business.

Curlynods,reassured.Hegetsinandtakesoff.

EXT.MULWRAYHOME–DUSK

Bythe pond,cigarettesmokedriftsINTOSHOT.Acarpullsup.In a momentCrosscanbeSEEN,lookingTOWARDCAMERA.

CROSS

Thereyouare.

HewalkstowardGitteswhostandsby thepond,smoking.

CROSS

(continuing)

Well,youdon'tlookanythe worseforwear, Mr.Gittes,Imustsay...where'sthe girl?...

GITTES

I'vegother.

CROSS

Issheall right?

GITTES

She'sfine.

CROSS

Whereisshe?

GITTES

Withhermother.

Cross'tonealtershere.

CROSS

...withhermother?

Gittespullssomethingoutofhispocketandunfoldsit.

GITTES

I'dlikeyouto lookat something,Mr.Cross.

CROSS

(takingit)

Whatisit?

GITTES

Anobituarycolumn...canyoureadinthis light?

CROSS

Yes...IthinkI canmanage...

Crossdipsintohiscoat pocketandpullsouta pairofrimless glasses..Heputsthemon,reads.

GITTES

StaresatthebifocallensesasCrosscontinuestolookthroughthe obituarycolumn.Helooksup.

CROSS

Whatdoesthismean?

GITTES

ThatyoukilledHollisMulwray.

Gittesisholdingthebifocalswiththebrokenlensnow.

GITTES

(continuing)

Righthere,inthispond.You drownedhim... andyouleftthese.

Crosslooksatthe glasses.

GITTES

...thecoroner'sreportshowedMulwrayhad saltwaterinhis lungs.

CROSS

(finally)

knowwhatheused tosayaboutthem?

GITTES

Haven'tthefaintestidea.

CROSS

That'swherelifebegins...marshes,sloughs, tide-pools...hewasfascinatedbythem... youknowwhenwe firstcameoutherehe figuredthatifyoudumpedwaterontodesert sanditwouldpercolatedownintothebedrock andstaythere,insteadofevaporatingthe wayitdoes inmostreservoirs.You'dlose onlytwentypercentinsteadofseventyor eighty.Hemadethiscity.

GITTES

Andthat'swhatyouweregoingto doin the Valley?

EXT.POND– CROSSANDGITTES

CROSS

(afteralongmoment)

No,Mr.Gittes.That'swhatI amdoingwith theValley.ThebondissuepassesTuesday. There'llbetenmilliontobuildan aqueduct andreservoir.I'mdoingit.

GITTES

There'sgoingtobesomeiratecitizenswhen theyfindoutthey'repayingforwater they'renotgetting.

CROSS

That'salltakencareof.You see,Mr. Gittes.EitheryoubringthewatertoL.A.or youbringL.A.to thewater.

GITTES

Howdoyou dothat?

CROSS

JustincorporatetheValleyintothecityso thewatergoesto L.A.afterall.It'svery simple.

Gittesnods.

GITTES

(then)

Howmuchareyou worth?

CROSS

(shrugs,then)

Ihaveno idea.Howmuchdo youwant?

GITTES

Iwantto knowwhatyou'reworth.Overten million? CROSS Oh,my,yes.

GITTES

Thenwhyareyou doingit?Howmuch better canyoueat?What canyoubuy thatyoucan't alreadyafford?

CROSS

(alongmoment,then:)

Thefuture,Mr.Gittes.Thefuture.Now where'sthegirl?...Iwanttheonlydaughter Ihaveleft...as youfoundout,Evelynwas losttome along timeago.

GITTES

(withsarcasm)

Whodoyou blameforthat?Her?

Crossmakesafunnylittlecockof hishead.

CROSS

Idon'tblamemyself.Yousee,Mr. Gittes, mostpeopleneverhavetofacethe factthat attherighttime andrightplace,they're

him,willyou,Claude?

doesn'tmove.

CROSS

(continuing)

It'snotworthit,Mr. Gittes.It'sreally notworthit.

Gitteshandsovertheglasses.

CROSS

(continuing)

Takeusto thegirl.EitherEvelynallowsme toseeher, orI'mnot aversetoseeing Evelyninjail.IfI haveto buythejail. HollisandEvelynkeptherfromme for fifteenyears.It'sbeentoolong,I'mtoo old.

EXT.CHINATOWNSTREET–NIGHT

Thestreetsarecrowded.Hereandthereonecan seeChinesein traditionaldress.

GITTES

Drivingslowly,spotsKatherinewithRamonandluggage,nearlylost inthe crowd.Theyarewalkingtowardacarparkedneara laundry truck.

Gittesseesthem,keepsdriving.

CROSS

(suddenly)

Stopthecar.Stopthe car!

thecurband hitsalamppost.

EXT.STREET–CROSS

Leapsoutof thecarshouting:

CROSS

Katherine!Katherine!Wait!

Gittesisafterhim,grabbinghim.Crosstriestoswingat Gittes

thembeginanawkwardwrestlingmatch,thecrowdscattering, Mulvihillpullinghisrevolver,tryingtohitGittesonthesideof thehead.Thethreemen crashtothe pavement.

CURLY

Startsoutofthe cartowardGittes.Gittesseeshim.

GITTES

No,Curly,get'emout ofhere!Get 'emout ofhere:

HebitesMulvihill'shandandfuriouslypoundsitintothesidewalk, shakinggunloose.MulvihillandGittesTryforitbut someoneelse hasit.

EVELYN

Holdsthegun.She'sshakingbutapparentlyincontrolofherself.

GITTES

Risestohis feet.MulvihillstartstohelpCrossup.

EVELYN

No,don'thelphim.Don'tdo anything.

Mulvihilldoesn'tmove.Crossrisesonhisown.Evelynholdsthe revolveronhim.

EVELYN

(continuing)

She'sgone.It'snogood.

CROSS

Where?

GITTES

(movingtoEvelyn)

Letmehandlethat.

EVELYN

(toGittes)

I'mallright.

GITTES

(she'snot)

Sure,butI'dliketo handleit.

Evelynbacksupas herfathertakesastep towardher.

CROSS

You'regoingtohaveto killme,Evelyn. Eitherthatortellme wheresheis.

Evelynisbackingup.Crossmovingonher. Evelyncocksthepistol.

CROSS

(continuing)

HowmanyyearshaveI got?...she'sminetoo.

EVELYN

She'snevergoingtoknowthat.

There'stheSOUNDofa SIREN.Crosslungestowardher.Gittesgrabs Cross.

DuffyandWalshareelbowingthroughthecrowd.Gittesseesthem.

GITTES

Duffy,gooverandsit onMulvihill.

(toWalsh)

JesusChrist,Ididn'ttellyouto bringthe policedepartmentwithyou.

WALSH

Jake,it'sChinatown.They'realloverthe place.Yououghtaknowbetter.

GITTES

(toWalsh,meaningCross)

Gimmeyourkeys.Watchthisoldfart,will you?

(movingtoEvelyn)

TakeDuffy'scar.Curly'sboat'sinPedro, neartheStarkistcannery.It'stheEvening Star.He'llbewaiting.I'lltakecareof this.

Shelooksto Gittes.Helooksather.She turnsandHe looksather. SheturnsandEscobaris standingbetweenherEscobarisstanding betweenherandit.

ESCOBAR

Mrs.Mulwray,youdon'twanttorun around likethat.

GITTES

Oh,Christ.Escobar,youdon'tknowwhat's goingon.Lether go.I'llexplainitlater.

ESCOBAR

Mrs.Mulwray,it'saveryseriousoffense pointingthatatanofficerofthe law.It's afelony.

GITTES

Lethergo. Shedidn'tkillanybody.

ESCOBAR

(startingtowardher)

I'msorry,Mrs.Mulwray.

GITTES

Lou,shewillkillyou. Lethergo fornow. Youdon'tknow.

ESCOBAR

Gittes,stayouttathis.

Escobarcontinuestomovetowardher.Gittesgrabshim.

GITTES

(toEvelyn)

Nowtakeoff.

Evelyngetsinthe car.Shestartsit.GittesletsEscobargo.

ESCOBAR

I'lljusthaveherfollowed.She'snotgoing anywhere.

There'sasingleGUNSHOT.Bothmenlooksurprised.Downtheblocka uniformedofficerhasfired,standingbesidehisdouble-parkedcar. Duffy'ssedanslowstoa stopinthe middleofthestreet.Itjerks acoupleof times,stillingear,thencomesto ahalt.

Gittesrushestothecar.He opensit.Evelynfallsout,inert. Bloodispouringfromherrighteye.

GITTES

(yelling)

No!

HeholdsontoEvelynas Escobarandothershurryup.Crosshimself elbowsthrough.

GITTES

(continuing)

Whereishe?I'll killhim,I'llkillthe son ofa bitch.

SeveralofficerscontainGittes.

GITTES

(continuing;toEscobar)

Whoishe, gethisname?I'll killhim.

ESCOBAR

(badlyshaken)

Takeiteasy,takeit easy,itwas an accident.

GITTES

Anaccident?

Gitteslooksdown.Whatheseeshorrifieshim.Crossison the ground,holdingEvelyn'sbody,crying.

GITTES

Gethimawayfrom her.He'sresponsiblefor everything.Gethimawayfromher!

ESCOBAR

(stunned)

Jake,you'reverydisturbed.You'recrazy. That'sherfather.

WalshandDuffyelbowthroughthecrowd.

ESCOBAR

(continuing;tothem)

Youwannadoyour partnerthebiggestfavor ofhislife?Take himhome.Justgethim the helloutof here!

DuffybearhugstheprotestingGittes,alongwithWalsh,literally dragginghimawayfromthescene,withGittestryingtoshakefree. Throughthecrowdnoises,Walshcanbeheardsaying,"Forgetit, Jake.It'sChinatown."

THEEND